Transportation Security Administration officers at Westchester County Airport stopped a Florida man from bringing a loaded handgun on a flight March 6.
The 9 mm handgun was fully loaded when the X-ray machine alerted TSA officials to the gun in a carry-on bag, according to a March 8 news release. The gun contained seven bullets, with one of them already in the chamber.
"Guns are not permitted through any airport security checkpoint," Robert Duffy, TSA federal security director for Westchester County Airport, said in the news release. "Already this is the second handgun that our officers have prevented from getting onto a flight here at Westchester so far this year."
The man told TSA officials he forgot he had the gun with him, according to the release. He now faces a maximum civil penalty of $15,000. The penalty for carrying weapons reportedly increased recently.
"Hopefully this will be a strong reminder to others not to bring their guns to our checkpoints," Duffy said in the release. "This individual now faces a stiff federal financial penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars. Additionally, it is important to remember that a concealed carry permit or enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program are not exemptions from this policy."
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage, but those firearms are required to be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case, then declared at the airline check-in counter, the release reported.
Of the 6,542 firearms caught at the nation's airport security checkpoints last year, 88% were loaded, the release reported.
Laws can vary by state or municipality regarding firearm possession, according to the release. It is up to the gun owner to do the research and ensure they are not violating any state or local firearm laws. It is recommended contacting the airline to discover any additional requirements for traveling with a firearm and ammunition.