A Ridgewood man was taken into custody on Friday, November 1, after a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer discovered a firearm in his carry-on bag at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The incident occurred at a security checkpoint in Terminal C when the man’s blue backpack, containing the firearm, was flagged by the X-ray machine.
Upon detecting the firearm, TSA officials alerted the Port Authority Police, who quickly responded to the scene. The officers confiscated the weapon and arrested the man, whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities.
According to TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, Thomas Carter, the man stated that he was a previous victim of crime, which led him to carry the firearm for personal protection.
“This is an understandable reason to own a firearm,” Carter said. “However, guns are not permitted to be carried into the cabin of a plane. As a result, not only does this individual face criminal charges from the police, but he also will face a stiff federal financial civil penalty that is likely to set him back several thousands of dollars. Firearms are never permitted through an airport security checkpoint.”
Bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can result in federal penalties reaching as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Penalties apply to all travelers, including those with concealed carry permits, which do not grant permission to carry firearms onto airplanes. Additionally, travelers with TSA PreCheck® status will lose their privileges if found with firearms at checkpoints.
To legally transport firearms on commercial flights, travelers must ensure that the weapon is unloaded, secured in a locked, hard-sided case, and declared to the airline. Properly declared firearms are then stored with checked baggage in the plane’s cargo hold, inaccessible to passengers during the flight.
TSA encourages all passengers to carefully inspect their carry-on bags before arriving at security checkpoints. For questions on specific items, travelers can use the TSA website’s “Can I Bring?” feature or access the information through the myTSA app.
The TSA also provides real-time assistance via @AskTSA on Twitter and by text message, allowing travelers to confirm item eligibility through photos or questions.
The Ridgewood man now faces potential legal ramifications and substantial fines as a result of this incident.