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  5. TSA officers prevent Lycoming County, Pa., traveler from bringing loaded gun onto flight at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport

TSA officers prevent Lycoming County, Pa., traveler from bringing loaded gun onto flight at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport

Local Press Release
Monday, October 16, 2023
TSA officers prevent Lycoming County, Pa., traveler from bringing loaded gun onto flight at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport

AVOCA, Pa. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport prevented a Lycoming County, Pa., man from bringing his handgun onto a flight this morning, Monday, Oct. 16.  

The 9mm handgun was loaded with nine bullets including one in the chamber.

The gun was caught as the man, a resident of Unityville, Pa., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection. The firearm was removed by the Avoca Police, who allowed the man to return the firearm to his vehicle.    

The man now faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

“This was the second gun that our officers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport have detected at the airport checkpoint so far this year. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Our officers are vigilant and are focused on preventing weapons from getting onto an airplane. People who bring their guns to our checkpoints create a potentially dangerous situation through their own actions. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are and they know not to bring them to a checkpoint.”

Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage.  Firearms must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case must 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.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint 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. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. 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.

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).

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