SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A Tully woman was caught Wednesday with a loaded handgun in her carry-on bag at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
A TSA officer spotted the .380 caliber gun loaded with six bullets while the bag was passing through an x-ray machine, according to a TSA news release.
The Syracuse Police confiscated the gun and detained the woman for questioning, according to the TSA.
The TSA did not release the name of the woman. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has contacted Syracuse police for more information.
“It is difficult to comprehend that an individual with a New York State pistol permit would come to the checkpoint with a loaded handgun and place the travelling public in danger due to their actions,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. “Appropriate civil actions will be taken against this individual in conformance with current regulations.“
The incident took place just one week after a Florida man was caught with a loaded gun at the airport.
Individuals who bring firearms to an airport checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges, TSA officials said. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags, they said.
In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of penalties is posted online.
Nationwide last year, 4,239 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 11.6 firearms per day, approximately a 7 percent increase nationally in firearm discoveries.
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