27-03-2025
Buffalo Airport TSA intercepts 2 guns at security checkpoint
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two men from Williamsville and Grand Island were stopped at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport's security checkpoint last week and this week for allegedly having guns, a TSA spokesperson announced Thursday.
Officials said the Grand Island man was stopped on March 21 with a 9mm handgun that was with his carry-on items. The gun was allegedly loaded with 13 bullets, which included one in the chamber.
The Williamsville man was stopped on March 26 with a 9mm firearm loaded with nine bullets, officials said. He also allegedly had one bullet in the gun's chamber.
TSA workers then notified police, who responded to the security checkpoint and took the weapons.
Since both men had a valid New York State pistol permit, they were cited with a notice of violation on a weapons charge. Officials said the men are facing a 'stiff' civil penalty from TSA. A penalty for carrying weapons can be up to $15,000.
'It is difficult for me to understand how two individuals who hold New York State Pistol Permits did not know where their handguns were and as a result they brought them to a checkpoint, jeopardizing innocent people,' said Bart Johnson, TSA's federal security director for airports in Upstate New York. 'The actions of these travelers were irresponsible and reckless, and they will be held accountable. Fortunately, the weapons were detected by our alert officers.'
The two guns marked the first guns to be intercepted at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport this year, according to data from the TSA. Last year, four guns were intercepted.
Click here for more information from the TSA on how to travel with a firearm.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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