CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — The Transportation Security Administration at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport said that a handgun was detected on Tuesday.
According to the news release, a Lancaster man was stopped by TSA officers when they detected a handgun in the man’s carry-on bag at the security checkpoint. The .45 caliber gun was loaded with 10 bullets, including one in the chamber. TSA said alongside the gun was an additional magazine containing 10 additional bullets.
The man did tell law enforcement that there was a gun in his bag and that it was loaded. The bag was then opened at the NFTA Police Department where the loaded firearm and ammunition were removed.
The man had a valid New York State pistol permit and voluntarily surrendered the firearm to police, who also cited the man on a weapons charge.
TSA said guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint, and now the man faces a financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“I would like to acknowledge my appreciation to the TSA officers who detected the firearm at the checkpoint and also recognize the quick response of law enforcement,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. “As a result, a deadly weapon was prevented from getting onto an airplane.”
TSA said passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded and then packed in a hard-sided locked case.
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