Man Tried To Get On Plane With Loaded 9MM At Long Island MacArthur Airport: TSA

RONKONKOMA, NY — A Sayville man was detained at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma on Sunday after he tried to carry a loaded 9mm handgun onto a flight — the first such incident this year, Transportation Safety Administration officials said Monday.

When the man was intercepted at the security checkpoint after he placed his carry-on bag on the X-ray machine, and the luggage was found to have the gun, which was loaded with 10 bullets, according to the TSA

Suffolk police, along with airport police, allowed the man to return his gun to his vehicle, the TSA said.

The man faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty, which can reach a maximum of $15,000, officials said.

His name was not released by the TSA.

Firearms are not permitted through a security checkpoint because passengers should not have access to a firearm during a flight, according to a news release from the TSA.

This also applies to travelers with concealed carry permits or who are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program. They can lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.

Passengers are allowed to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case, which must be declared at check-in.

The TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

In 2023, 6,735 firearms were caught at airport security checkpoints nationwide, of which 93 percent were loaded, TSA officials said.

The agency suggested that because firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm law and travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Robert Duffy, the TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said he appreciates the TSA officers "who acted to ensure that this traveler did not retain control of his weapon."

“Bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint introduces unnecessary delays to fellow travelers and of course represents a security risk," he said. "Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy spring break season to help ensure everyone can travel safely.”

Patch has reached out to Islip Town, which owns the airport.

This is a breaking story and will be updated. Check back later.