Transportation Security Administration recently announced an increase in travelers caught with ammunition and handguns at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints.
TSA and Port Authority Police "are highly concerned" about the nine guns found at the checkpoints as of June 28, compared to the 12 found all of last year and the 11 found in each of the previous two years, TSA said in a June 29 news release. The release reported 14 guns turned up at Newark Liberty checkpoints in 2018, compared to six the previous year.
"There appears to be an epidemic of ammunition that is cropping up at our security checkpoints—one that is easily preventable," said Thomas Carter, TSA's federal security director for New Jersey, according to the release. "Guns, ammunition and security checkpoints don't mix. Guns and ammunition are never allowed to pass through a security checkpoint to be carried onto a flight, even if a traveler has a concealed carry permit. However, passengers can transport their guns and ammunition for their trips if they pack them properly in checked baggage and declare them to the airline."
Most of the guns found this year were loaded, according to the news release. Passengers who try to pass ammunition and guns through Newark Liberty International checkpoints should expect to be not only be caught but annoy others in line, Carter said.
"When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the Port Authority Police resolve the incident," the release said. "Thus, guns and even ammunition at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates."
"The Port Authority continues to work in partnership with our TSA colleagues to ensure a safe and secure travel experience for the tens of millions of passengers who pass through our airports each year," Port Authority Chief Security Officer John Bilich said in the news release. "Make no mistake. Those who break the law will be held accountable. We thank the TSA for its vigilance in helping to detect and remove firearms at airport checkpoints."
