By: Richard L. Smith
A Mississippi man was arrested on Wednesday, October 16, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport discovered disassembled gun parts hidden in a boot and a LEGO box. 
TSA officers detected a fully disassembled 9mm handgun inside the man’s carry-on bag during a routine screening at Terminal A.
The firearm’s frame was concealed at the bottom of a boot, with a sock stuffed behind it to obscure it further.
Other parts of the gun, including the slide, spring, and a magazine loaded with 12 bullets, were mixed in with plastic pieces from a Black Panther LEGO set.
Port Authority Police were alerted and promptly arrested the man, who was scheduled to fly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The TSA warns that bringing firearms to a checkpoint can result in federal penalties of up to $15,000, depending on the situation.
TSA retains the authority to issue civil penalties for passengers caught with guns or firearm parts at security checkpoints.