By: Richard L. Smith
A Tennessee man was arrested this morning, August 1, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport discovered a loaded firearm in his carry-on luggage.
The 9mm handgun was loaded with 17 bullets.
The TSA officer detected the handgun as the man's carry-on items passed through the checkpoint X-ray machine.
Port Authority Police were immediately alerted, confiscated the firearm, and arrested the man, who is a resident of Old Hickory, Tennessee.
“This individual told us that he took a bus to our area and was planning to fly to another destination from Newark,” explained Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
“When planning for a flight, individuals really need to pay attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags. Travelers are responsible for the contents of their bags. Part of being a responsible gun owner is knowing where your firearm is at all times. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation.”
Carter commended the TSA officers for their vigilance, “This summer has been the busiest period of travel that our agency has seen, and I commend our officers for remaining focused on the mission during this busy time.”
In addition to his arrest, the man faces a substantial federal financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a security checkpoint.
The penalty for such a violation can be as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.