NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport arrested a Pennsylvania man after discovering a handgun and knife in his carry-on bag, authorities said.
On Monday, the TSA officers intercepted the man’s bag at one of the checkpoints in Terminal A, and found a 9 mm gun, a folding knife and 12 extra bullets in a gun magazine.
“Our officers are good at their job, and they are focused on the mission,” TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey Thomas Carter said. “This individual had … three prohibited items, which is absolutely inexcusable.
This was the first firearm detected at a security checkpoint this year. In 2024, Newark TSA officers set a record when they stopped 21 guns from going through security.
“Not only was this individual arrested, but he also faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars,” Carter said. “That’s a very expensive mistake to make.”
The federal penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can reach $15,000, depending on the circumstances. This applies to people with or without concealed gun carry permits because the weapon is still not allowed on an airplane.
Guns can only be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will ensure the gun travels with checked baggage and never in the cabin of the plane.
Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website to determine whether they can pack an item, and the complete list of civil penalties for attempting to travel with something illegal is online.
“Travelers always need to know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint and know that there is nothing illegal or prohibited inside,” Carter said.