By: Yuritza Arroyo
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport stopped a traveler from bringing a loaded handgun onto their flight this morning, Wednesday, June 21, just four days after they caught a firearm in another traveler’s carry-on bag.
According to TSA officials, when an officer spotted the .38 caliber handgun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, Port Authority Police were alerted, came to the Terminal A checkpoint, confiscated the gun, and interviewed the traveler, a resident of Staten Island, N.Y.
Officials say the weapon was loaded with seven bullets. This past weekend when TSA officers removed a loaded firearm from a Philadelphia, Pa., man’s carry-on backpack on Saturday, June 17, in Terminal C, police confiscated the gun and arrested the traveler.
When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident.
Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.
Each individual faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a security checkpoint.
According to authorities, the penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
“Summer travel season is in full swing, and the airport is extremely busy,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
“Carrying prohibited or illegal items to security checkpoints slows down the security lines for everyone.
If you’re flying this summer, it is vitally important to know that the items you have in your carry-on bag are allowed through our security checkpoints.
My best advice is that when you’re ready to pack, start with an empty bag so you know with certainty what you’ve got inside and you know that there is nothing prohibited in a side pocket, zippered pouch, or just in the bottom of your bag.
That goes for backpacks, roller bags, handbags, messenger bags, and duffle bags,” he added.
“I’m hopeful that this incident serves as a reminder to others who are traveling with a firearm to take a few moments before they come to the airport to refresh their familiarity with the proper procedures on how to pack a gun for a flight.
Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.
This morning’s gun catch marked the 10th gun caught at the airport so far this year.
Nationwide, TSA officers have prevented more than 3,000 guns from getting through security checkpoints.
Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide.
Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.