TSA at Syracuse Hancock International Airport intercepts firearm at airport checkpoint

TSA officers intercepted this loaded gun at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport checkpoint on September 18. (TSA photo)

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted a loaded firearm at Syracuse Hancock International Airport that was detected among a traveler's carry-on items at the checkpoint today, September 18. The 9mm caliber handgun was loaded with nine bullets.

TSA officers notified the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police who confiscated the firearm and detained the man, a resident of Syracuse, for questioning. He faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty for carrying a firearm to a checkpoint that is likely to cost him thousands of dollars.

The man said he did not realize that he had his loaded gun with him, and he was using the same bag to travel that he usually takes to the firing range.

"Our officers are good at their jobs, and this was the fourth firearm they have intercepted at the airport so far this year," said Bart R. Johnson, TSA's Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. "It is just one week from the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation. It was covered on all media outlets-newspapers, television, radio, and social media last week, yet somehow this individual did not connect that to the fact that nobody can bring a firearm or any other weapon on a flight. Knowing that you cannot carry a firearm onto your flight is part of being a responsible gun owner."

Passengers may transport their firearms for a flight if packed properly. To do so, the gun must be unloaded, placed in a hard-sided case, then locked inside the case. Next, it should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. The airline will ask that a small card be filled out and then the airline will make sure that the firearm is transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to it during a flight.

When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSA officers immediately stop the checkpoint conveyor belt. The lane comes to a standstill. Officers contact local law enforcement, who come to the checkpoint, remove the carry-on bag from the X-ray unit and then remove the passenger and the carry-on bag containing the firearm from the checkpoint area.

In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, TSA may issue a financial civil fine to passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint. The civil penalty for bringing weapons to checkpoints can go as high as $15,000.

If the traveler caught with a firearm is enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, they are removed from TSA PreCheck eligibility and are flagged to receive enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? TSA can certainly help travelers with that information before they leave home. 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).