By: Richard L. Smith
An Essex County man was arrested on Thursday, July 11, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport intercepted a loaded .22 caliber handgun among the man’s carry-on items.
The TSA officer detected the firearm as the man's carry-on items entered the checkpoint X-ray machine at Terminal C.
The antique handgun, which was not loaded, prompted TSA officers to alert Port Authority Police.
Officers arrived at the scene, confiscated the firearm, and arrested the man, a resident of Verona, NJ.
In addition to his arrest, the man faces a substantial federal financial civil penalty for attempting to bring a gun to a security checkpoint.
The penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can be as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
TSA officials emphasized that they reserve the right to issue civil penalties to travelers who bring guns and firearm parts to a checkpoint, regardless of whether they have a concealed gun carry permit.
A concealed carry permit does not allow an individual to carry a firearm onto an airplane.