Newark Airport Worker Arrested With Gun At Security Checkpoint: Feds

NEWARK, NJ — Police arrested a worker at Newark Airport last weekend after he tried to take a loaded gun through a security checkpoint, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

A TSA officer spotted a 9mm handgun in the man’s backpack at the checkpoint X-ray machine in Terminal C on Saturday. The gun was loaded with eight hollow-point bullets, authorities said.

The TSA officer altered Port Authority police, who came to the checkpoint, confiscated the gun and arrested the man on weapons charges.

“The man was employed by a company at the airport and his employee badge was confiscated at the time of the incident,” TSA officials said. “He is no longer employed at the airport.”

The company and worker were not identified in an initial statement.

“Individuals who work at the airport are subject to the same robust security screening procedures as travelers,” said Thomas Carter, the TSA’s federal security director for New Jersey.

“Saturday was April Fool’s Day, but I can assure you that nobody was laughing when our officers detected a loaded gun,” Carter added. “Bringing a firearm to a checkpoint is no joke.”

There have been four “firearm catches” so far in 2023 at Newark Airport, according to the TSA.

• See Related: Here's How Many Guns Are Seized At Newark Airport Every Year

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