TSA detects gun at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoint

TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport detected this handgun among a traveler's carry-on items on April 3. (TSA photo)

NEWARK, N.J. - A Seattle, Wash., man was arrested by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted the man's handgun when he entered a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport on April 3. The .45 caliber handgun was loaded with 15 bullets, including one in the chamber. It was accompanied by a gun magazine loaded with five hollow-point bullets.

When TSA officers detected the firearm, they contacted Port Authority Police who confiscated the gun and ammunition and arrested the man.

"This individual told us that he forgot that he had a loaded gun with him," said Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey. "An important part of being a responsible gun owner is knowing where your firearm is at all times. Telling us that you forgot that you had a loaded gun with you is an accident waiting to happen.

"The last 30 days have been the most significant timespan of firearm detections ever at Newark for TSA," he added. "We have detected eight firearms overall for the year, a record-setting pace, and have detected six guns in the last 30 days. This is certainly not a trend we want to see. Our officers are certainly being extra vigilant."

Firearms caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2025

Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025 (As of 4-3-25)
Guns caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints	14	11	11	12	14	20	21	8

"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.

The federal penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances. TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and firearm parts with them at a checkpoint. This applies to individuals with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a firearm is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

Guns can be transported on a flightif they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane.

TSA has multiple resources available to help determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, either or neither. Travelers can use the "Can I Bring?"feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.