TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport detected this handgun among a traveler’s carry-on items on April 28. (TSA photo)
NEWARK, N.J. – A Philadelphia man was arrested by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted the man’s handgun when he entered a security checkpoint in Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, April 28. The .40 caliber handgun was loaded with four bullets.
When TSA officers detected the firearm, they contacted Port Authority Police who confiscated the gun and ammunition and arrested the man.
It was the third gun detected by TSA officers at the airport this month and the 10th so far this year. In 2024, TSA officers stopped 21 guns at the airport checkpoints.
“It is inexcusable for someone to bring a loaded gun to a security checkpoint. Responsible gun owners know where their firearm is at all times and knowing that it cannot be carried into the cabin of an airplane,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “This individual now faces a stiff federal financial penalty. Hopefully others will learn from his mistake.”
Firearms caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2025
| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (As of 4-28-25) |
| Guns caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
20 |
21 |
10 |
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 flight if 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.