The gun was caught as the man, a resident of Lee, N.H., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted the TSA officer to take a closer look inside the man’s backpack, which was opened by police for a closer inspection.  

Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and now the man faces a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

“Our officers are good at their jobs and are staying vigilant to keep all travelers safe and secure during this very busy summer travel season,” said Karen Keys Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. Airports are congested, people are eager to travel and this is no time to be carrying prohibited or illegal items in your carry-on bag. Gun owners have a responsibility to know where their firearms are at all times and know that they should not be in a carry-on bag,” Keys Turner added. “It is concerning that most people who are stopped at TSA checkpoints with a firearm tell us that they forgot that they had it with them. Travelers need to come to the airport prepared to go through the security screening process and that means knowing the contents of their carry-on bags and knowing that there are no prohibited items inside.”

Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage.  Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case.  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.

It marked the sixth gun stopped at the security checkpoint so far this year. Nationwide, more than 3,000 guns have been stopped at airport checkpoints by TSA officers so far in 2023.

Original source can be found here