One man could face a hefty penalty after being caught with a loaded gun at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
According to the TSA, the incident happened Saturday when a man from Clarence, New York, who was not identified by name, was found at a security checkpoint with a handgun in his carry-on bag, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.
The TSA notified Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police who interviewed the Eriec County man. Despite having a valid pistol permit, police confiscated the firearm.
“It is difficult to understand how a NYS licensed pistol permit holder would not know where his fully loaded weapon was, resulting in the weapon being introduced at the checkpoint creating a very dangerous situation for everyone at the checkpoint,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York.
The TSA added that the penalty for carrying weapons at an airport can reach up to $15,000.
This is the first firearm detection at the airport for 2024.
Firearms are only allowed in checked baggage and must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case.
