Lehigh Valley man arrested for carrying loaded gun in airport

NEWARK, N.J. (WPVI) -- A man from the Lehigh Valley was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport Saturday after TSA officers found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag.

According to the TSA, an officer detected the .9 mm semi-automatic handgun inside the Northampton man's carry-on bag as it passed through the security checkpoint x-ray machine.

Officials say it was loaded with 18 hollow-point bullets, including one in the chamber.

TSA officers contacted the Port Authority Police Department, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the gun and arrested the man on state weapons charges.

They say the man was ticketed to fly to Havana, Cuba.

TSA issued this reminder to travelers: "Weapons - including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition - are not permitted in carry-on bags. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000."

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