Officers detected the gun as it passed through an X-ray machine at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Authorities at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday arrested a Lehigh Valley man who they said had a loaded semi-automatic handgun in a carry-on bag.
Transportation Security Administration officers stopped the traveler, who was ticketed to fly to Havana, Cuba, after detecting the 9mm pistol at a security checkpoint X-ray machine.
Authorities did not immediately release the man's name but said he was from Northampton.
The handgun was loaded with 18 hollow-point bullets, including one in the chamber, officials said.
TSA officers immediately contacted the Port Authority Police Department, which confiscated the gun and arrested the man on New Jersey weapons charges.
Authorities said weapons, including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, are not permitted in carry-on bags.
Travelers who bring firearms to a checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from local law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000.
Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA's advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items, according to a news release.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.