NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) – Transportation Security Administration officers at Newark Liberty International Airport stopped a traveler from bringing a handgun onto his flight on Sunday.
According to officials, a TSA officer spotted the 9mm handgun in the checkpoint X-ray machine on a day where 78,333 people were screened at the airport's checkpoints, making the ninth busiest day in TSA's history of screening travelers at Newark.
When the gun was found at the Terminal C checkpoint, Port Authority police were alerted and confiscated the gun, which was not loaded, authorities said.
They also interviewed the traveler, a resident of Las Vegas, before arresting him on a weapons charge.
The penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
"This was the third firearm that our officers have caught so far this month," said Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey. "I urge travelers 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."
