TSA Stops 94-Year-Old with Loaded Handgun
Mary Minor Davis December 02, 2014
Brooklyn man stopped at a LaGuardia checkpoint with a loaded handgun on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
New York’s WPIX 11, a WB Network affiliate, reported that a Brooklyn man at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) attempted to go through security with a loaded .38 caliber handgun.
According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, Perry Berger, 94, attempted to go through a security scanner the day before Thanksgiving with the handgun clipped to the back of his belt. The man apparently had a full-carry permit for the weapon.
Berger was in a wheelchair and attempted to walk through the scanner. A CBS News report states that Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police were called to the scene and took the gun, although no reports show Berger was arrested. He did miss his flight, however, and was placed on a later one, the news report noted. The incident did not disrupt airport operations on what is traditionally one of the busiest days for travelers, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
In a news release posted by the TSA, the federal agency emphasized that firearms, firearms parts and ammunition are not permitted past security checkpoints and must be in checked baggage. Attempts to bypass the policy can result of fines up to $11,000, according to TSA.
Nearly 2,000 guns have been intercepted by the TSA at U.S. airports so far this year. In 2013, there were 1,813 guns found, according to the TSA release.
[Photo: TSA]
There is a real, classic revolver among those 2000 confiscated "guns"! So the TSA caught an actual - even though involuntary - perpetrator. Much unlike the security in ZRH where officers proudly wrestled a "Mars attacks bubble gun" from a boy in front of us which then proudly was dropped into the "catch of the month" glass container for all good people to see ... next to mostly syringes, ninja stars, kitchen knives, and nail files.
Will this be the end of automatic Precheck for seniors?