This firearm was detected in a traveler's backpack by TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport on November 1. (TSA photo)

NEWARK, N.J. - A Ridgewood, N.J., man was arrested by police on Friday, November 1, after Transportation Security Administration officers at Newark Liberty International Airport intercepted a gun among the man's carry-on items.

The TSA officer detected the firearm in a carry-on bag at a checkpoint in Terminal C as the man's blue backpack entered the checkpoint X-ray machine.

Port Authority Police were alerted, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man.

"This individual said that he had previously been a crime victim, which is why he had his firearm with him," said Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey. "This is an understandable reason to own a firearm. However, guns are not permitted to be carried into the cabin of a plane. As a result, not only does this individual face criminal charges from the police, but he also will face a stiff federal financial civil penalty that is likely to set him back several thousands of dollars. Firearms are never permitted through an airport security checkpoint."

The federal penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances. TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and firearm parts with them at a checkpoint. This applies to individuals with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a firearm is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

Guns can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane.

TSA reminds people to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to help determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, either or neither. Travelers can use the "Can I Bring?" feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.