TSA intercepts handgun in man’s carry-on bag at State College Regional Airport

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at State College Regional Airport intercepted a handgun at the security checkpoint early this morning, October 15. The .357 caliber firearm was loaded with five bullets.

The weapon was caught as the man, a resident of Mifflin, Pa., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the firearm, which was in the man's carry-on bag. TSA officials notified the police who allowed the man to exit the airport with his firearm. This individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

"This was the second firearm that our officers have intercepted at the airport in the last month. Bringing loaded guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation and this individual can expect to receive a federal fine that will be in the thousands of dollars," said Donald Weston, TSA's Acting Federal Security Director for the airport. "It is disappointing to continue to see travelers bring their guns to our checkpoints."

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.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint also 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 individuals who want to travel with their gun 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).