AVOCA — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Thursday intercepted a 9mm handgun loaded with 11 bullets at the airport checkpoint.
It was the fourth firearm that TSA officers have detected at the airport checkpoint this year.
The weapon was caught as the man, a resident of Orangeville, entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the firearm among his carry-on items.
TSA officials notified the police who confiscated the gun and then escorted the man back to his vehicle, returning the firearm to him to allow him to leave it in his car.
This individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
No information was available on the person’s name or if charges were filed.
“Responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania. “Travelers who own firearms need to know that guns can’t be carried into the cabin of a plane. TSA has been in existence for 23 years, and this regulation has been in place for decades before TSA even existed, so it’s nothing new. Now this individual faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could set him back thousands of dollars. That’s an expensive mistake on his part.”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Executive Director Carl Beardsley praised the TSA staff for doing a great job to keep flights safe.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then, the locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint also carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online.
Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and individuals who want to travel with their gun should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bi-County Airport Board meets
Just hours after the TSA arrest, the Bi-County Airport Board met and heard a positive report from Beardsley on the increase in passenger flow.
Beardsley reported that passenger enplanements for November 2024 increased 50.8% to 22,518, from 14,928 in November 2023.
In November 2024, Beardsley said two departing flights were cancelled, both for weather — this accounts for 115 (0.4%) out of a total of 30,970 departure seats. Also, three arriving flights were cancelled, all for weather.
“Growth,” is how Beardsley described the report. “We are seeing growth across the board.”
Beardsley said American Airlines, Breeze and United all reported increased numbers, as did charter flights.
Other business
In other business, the Airport Board:
• Heard a request from Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith regarding financial help for the TSA Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Reimbursement Program at the airport.
In July, Griffith said Luzerne County has been paying $12,000 per month to staff an officer at the airport since federal funding for the program was discontinued.
“I think the airport needs to find out if the funding will be restored,” Griffith said. “Luzerne County should not have to pay for this program.”
Beardsley said that the airport increased its contribution to the program from $30,000 to $60,000.
Griffith said the LEO program needs to be funded because Luzerne County is losing approximately $12,000 per month on this program.
He stated the importance of getting the TSA reimbursement for the program or Luzerne and Lackawanna counties share the cost.
Beardsley said he has been working to get the situation resolved, and he should have more information soon.
• Tabled voting on a marketing & communications agreement between Luzerne & Lackawanna counties and Condron Sweda Advertising effective Jan. 1, 2025.
• Approved an agreement between Luzerne & Lackawanna counties and auditor Bakertilly US, LLP.
• Approved the retirement of 20-year employee Carmen Scrimalli, of Dunmore, second-shift supervisor, effective Dec. 20, 2024.