NEWARK, N.J. — TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport arrested a guy from Pennsylvania after they found a gun and a knife in his carry-on bag, officials said.
On Monday, the TSA officers caught the man’s bag at one of the checkpoints in Terminal A and found a 9 mm gun, a folding knife, and 12 extra bullets in a gun magazine.
“Our officers do their jobs well and are dedicated to the mission,” said Thomas Carter, the TSA Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “This person had three forbidden items, which is completely unacceptable.”
This was the first gun found at a security stop this year. In 2024, TSA workers in Newark broke a record by stopping 21 guns from getting through security.
“Not only was this individual arrested, but he also faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars,” Carter said. “That’s a costly mistake.”
If you bring a weapon to a TSA checkpoint, you could face a federal fine of up to $15,000, based on the situation. This rule applies to everyone, whether or not they have a hidden gun carry permit because guns are not allowed on airplanes.
Guns can only be taken on a trip if they are unloaded, stored in a locked hard case, and reported to the airline. The airline will make sure that the gun is transported in checked bags, not in the cabin of the plane.
Travelers can check the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website to see if they can pack a certain item. They can also find a full list of fines for trying to travel with illegal items online.
“Travelers should check what’s in their carry-on bag before they reach security and make sure there’s nothing illegal or banned inside,” Carter said.
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