Transportation Security Administration officers found this .380-caliber handgun, loaded with seven bullets, in the carry-on bag of a West Virginia man at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (TSA)
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Transportation Security Administration officers found a loaded handgun in a West Virginia man’s carry-on bag at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Tuesday, security officials said.
The TSA said officers spotted the .380-caliber handgun on an X-ray machine’s monitor as the man’s carry-on bag was being screened at the airport’s security checkpoint. The gun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber, according to the TSA.
Security officers immediately alerted Syracuse police, who confiscated the weapon and arrested the man, the TSA said. On Wednesday, city police identified the man as James A. Campbell, 60, of Elkins, West Virginia. They charged him with second-degree criminal possession of weapon, a felony.
Police said Campbell did not have a valid New York State pistol permit. They said the Glock 42 semi-automatic handgun was found in a duffel bag Campbell had when he tried to pass through the TSA’s security checkpoint.
The man told officials he had driven to the area to work and when he went to catch a flight, he forgot he had his gun with him, the TSA said.
“This was a very good catch on the part of our officers at a time when we are seeing an increase in travel volume,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA federal security director for Upstate New York. “It was a careless and now costly mistake on the part of the traveler as he faces a federal financial penalty.”
In January, TSA officers stopped another West Virginia man at the airport when he tried to board a flight to Chicago with a loaded 9mm handgun. He also told officials he forgot the gun was in his bag.
Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.
Civil penalties apply to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane, the TSA said.
In addition to the fines, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with guns can have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked.
Guns can only be transported in checked baggage in the belly of a plane, never in the cabin. They must be unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. Travelers must go to the airline ticket counter during the check-in process to declare a firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts.
TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements for transporting firearms.
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021).
© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.