Flyer Tried To Bring Loaded Gun On Plane At Westchester Airport: TSA

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Another passenger at a Hudson Valley airport missed their flight this week for the most preventable of reasons, according to the TSA.

A Hamilton County man was detained after TSA screeners discovered he was attempting to board a flight at Westchester County Airport (HPN) with a loaded handgun, federal officials announced.

TSA prevented the passenger from carrying his loaded handgun onto the flight on Tuesday. The .380 caliber handgun was loaded with six bullets, the Homeland Security agency said. In addition, the man was found to have multiple credit cards in his possession, each with a different name on them.

The gun was detected as the man was entering the security checkpoint and the X-ray unit requested a TSA officer to inspect the contents of a carry-on bag. TSA alerted police, who confiscated the gun and credit cards before arresting the passenger.

The passenger from Long Lake, NY faces a federal financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons recently increased to a maximum of $15,000.

This was the fourth gun that TSA officers have detected at the Westchester County Airport so far this year, which already is tied with the total number caught in 2022.

"We are currently experiencing extremely high passenger volume nationwide and bringing prohibited or illegal items to our security checkpoints slows down the checkpoint line," TSA Federal Security Director at Westchester County Airport Robert Duffy said. "Our officers are good at their jobs and are staying vigilant to keep all travelers safe and secure. Airports are congested, people are eager to travel and this is no time to be carrying a firearm in a carry-on bag, because it presents a significant security risk."

"Guns are never permitted to be carried past a security checkpoint. Hopefully this will be a strong reminder to others not to bring their guns to our checkpoints. Additionally, it is important to remember that a concealed carry permit or enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program are not exemptions from this policy," he added.

According to federal regulations, guns can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane. Replica firearms are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must also be transported in checked luggage.

Since firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, gun owners are responsible for ensuring they are not violating any local firearm laws. Contacting the airline could also reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount, include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.

Civil penalties apply 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.

Frequent flyers who violate rules regarding traveling with guns will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked.

In 2022, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints across the country. 88 percent of those guns were loaded.

The TSA is reminding passengers to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint.

Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.