NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — A passenger armed with what the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) termed an “assault rifle” and 163 rounds of ammunition was prevented from boarding a plane at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, according to a TSA press release.
If you’re on this site, you know there’s a 90% chance that any time someone calls something an “assault rifle” it probably isn’t. In this case, you’d be right. It was a “Palmetto PA-15 Multi AR firearm,” according to the TSA, which I guess can receive credit for being closer to an actual gun name than most.
Regardless, it’s still a completely insane thing to try to tote onboard an aircraft — or even to carry unintentionally.
“Threat detection is our mission and our dedicated workforce is protecting the traveling public every day,” said TSA Federal Security Director Arden Hudson according to their press release.
“Passengers need to focus on what is inside their carry-ons before entering our checkpoint. The introduction of a loaded weapon poses an unnecessary risk to both the traveling public and our employees.”
The unnamed passenger is from Jefferson, Louisiana. He now faces a potential civil penalty of up to $15,000.
Hudson urged travelers to know their state and local laws.
“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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