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On Saturday (March 15), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport intercepted two handguns in separate incidents at security checkpoints. Both travelers involved had firearm permits, so police did not arrest them, but the guns were not allowed through the checkpoint. A man from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, claimed he forgot he had his gun with him, while a man from Pearl River, New York, was stopped with a loaded handgun.
According to Patch, TSA reminds travelers that firearms are not permitted in carry-on bags. Guns can only be transported if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, and declared at the airline check-in counter. The airline then ensures the gun travels in the belly of the plane with checked baggage.
TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey, Thomas Carter, emphasized the importance of travelers knowing the contents of their carry-on bags. "Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags," Carter stated. The TSA can impose a federal penalty of up to $15,000 for bringing a weapon to a checkpoint.
So far this year, five guns have been intercepted at Newark Airport, compared to 21 guns confiscated last year. The TSA continues to urge travelers to use resources like the "Can I Bring?" feature on their website or the myTSA app to check if an item is allowed in carry-on baggage.