Man Arrested at Newark Airport for Concealing Gun in LEGO Box

A man was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on October 16, 2024, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a disassembled firearm concealed in his carry-on luggage. The man, a Mississippi resident, attempted to smuggle the weapon by hiding its parts inside a LEGO box and a boot, leading to his arrest by Port Authority Police.

The man tried to pass through security with the disassembled 9 mm handgun, which was revealed by an X-ray scan. TSA officers found the gun’s spring, slide, and loaded magazine inside a Black Panther LEGO box, while the gun’s frame was hidden in a boot. Despite his claims that it was a toy or belonged to his brother, TSA officials confirmed that it was a fully functional firearm, resulting in both criminal charges and a hefty federal civil penalty.

TSA regulations permit the transport of firearms only in checked baggage and under strict conditions, a policy the man violated. This year, the TSA has intercepted more than 5,000 firearms at checkpoints across the U.S., 93% of which were loaded.