Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Long Island McArthur Airport (ISP) prevented a Sayville, N.Y., man from bringing his handgun onto a flight yesterday (April 7). The 9mm firearm was loaded with 10 bullets.

The weapon was caught as the man entered the security checkpoint and the X-ray unit alerted on his carry-on bag. It was the first firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at the airport checkpoint this year.

When the firearm was detected, TSA officers notified law enforcement. The Long Island McArthur Police and Suffolk County Police allowed the man to return the firearm to his vehicle. However, the individual now faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

“I would like to acknowledge my appreciation to the TSA officers at Long Island who acted to ensure that this traveler did not retain control of his weapon,” said Robert Duffy, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint introduces unnecessary delays to fellow travelers and of course represents a security risk. Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy spring break season to help ensure everyone can travel safely.”

Firearms are not permitted through a security checkpoint because passengers should not have access to a firearm during a flight. This even applies to travelers with concealed carry permits or are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint. 

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then the locked case should 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.

Last year, 6,735 firearms were caught at airport security checkpoints nationwide, of which 93 percent were loaded. 

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. 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.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

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).