PA Man Brought Loaded Gun To NJ Airport, Feds Say

NEWARK, NJ - A Pennsylvania man was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport on Thanksgiving after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag in Terminal C, federal officials said in a statement.

The 9mm handgun belonging to the Newton Square, P.a. resident, was loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber, TSA officials said.

“Getting caught with and arrested for carrying a loaded gun at our airport means this individual had a pretty bad Thanksgiving,” said Thomas Carter, TSA Federal Security Director for New Jersey.

“Our TSA officers are on the job this busy holiday weekend so that others can reach their destinations safely and spend the holiday with their family and friends,” Carter added. “Our team is staying vigilant and focused on the mission to help ensure that prohibited items are not carried onto a flight. Not only was this man arrested, but he also now faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could run into thousands of dollars.”

Last year, TSA officers found 5,972 guns at security checkpoints nationwide. 86 percent of them were loaded, the agency said. That includes 12 guns caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints, compared with 14 found at the airport in 2022 (as of Nov. 24).

This month alone, two other individuals were arrested at Newark airport after TSA officers detected firearms with their belongings. TSA found a 9mm handgun and 15 bullets in two of the man’s carry-on bags at a Terminal B security checkpoint at Newark Airport, which led to the arrest of an Indiana resident. A day later, authorities made another arrest at Newark Airport. This time, it involved an Illinois resident, who was stopped with a loaded handgun and a 9-inch hunting knife, TSA officials said. Read more: Weapons At Newark Airport: Feds Seize 2 Guns, Hunting Knife

According to the TSA, the penalties for making a mistake can be serious, even if you have a concealed carry permit:

“Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.”

TSA lists additional information on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.