Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport intercepted a 9mm handgun loaded with six bullets at the airport checkpoint on Monday, July 29.
It was the second firearm that TSA officers have detected at the airport checkpoint this year.
The weapon was caught as the man, a resident of Waverly Township, Pa., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the firearm among his carry-on items. TSA officials notified the police who confiscated the gun. Law enforcement officers confiscate guns, not TSA officials.
This individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“Bringing 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 Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport.