NEW ORLEANS — Authorities say officers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport stopped a passenger with an "assault rifle" and 163 rounds of ammunition from being carried onto a plane headed for Houston this week.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, a 52-year-old man from Jefferson, La., now faces a fine that could be as high as $15,000.
The agency said the Palmetto PA-15 Multi AR firearm loaded with 30 rounds, and five additional loaded magazines were seized on Valentine's Day.
“Passengers need to focus on what is inside their carry-ons before entering our checkpoint," TSA Federal Security Director Arden Hudson said. "The introduction of a loaded weapon poses an unnecessary risk to both the traveling public and our employees.”
The TSA said that 14 firearms have been stopped this year by TSA officers at MSY airport. In 2021, the airport was in the top 10 airports in the country for passengers violating federal law by bringing a firearm to the security checkpoint. 119 guns were intercepted that year.
“If you are going to travel with your gun it must be in your checked bag, but be sure you know exactly what the gun laws are on each side of your trip,” said Hudson. “Guns may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.”
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