An Ontario County man is facing scrutiny after a TSA agent at the Frederick Douglass Rochester International Airport found a loaded handgun inside a his carry-on bag.
During a routine security screening, an X-ray operator noticed the firearm inside the traveler’s baggage.
Upon further inspection by a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy, a handgun loaded with six bullets was confirmed. While the man possessed a valid pistol permit, the firearm was seized.
Bart R. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Upstate New York, expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s concerning when a licensed New York State pistol permit holder lacks the awareness of carrying a loaded handgun into a security checkpoint, thereby creating a potentially hazardous scenario.”
The TSA emphasized that travelers can only transport firearms in checked baggage, ensuring they are unloaded and stored in a locked, hard-sided container.
The individual, who has not been identified, now faces potential TSA fines of up to $15,000.
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