TSA intercepts handgun in man’s carry-on bag at State College Regional Airport

TSA officers stopped a man with this handgun at the State College Regional Airport security checkpoint on September 16. (TSA photo)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at State College Regional Airport intercepted a handgun at the security checkpoint yesterday, September 16. The 9mm firearm was loaded with nine bullets, including one in the chamber.

The weapon was caught as the man, a resident of Drums, Pa., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the firearm, which was in the man's backpack. TSA officials notified the police who allowed the man to return his gun to his vehicle. This individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

"Bringing loaded guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation and this individual can expect to receive a federal fine that will be in the thousands of dollars," said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "It's been 23 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and people should know by now that they cannot bring firearms or any weapons through our checkoints."

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then the locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint also carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and individuals who want to travel with their gun should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy "What can I bring?" feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872).