A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) this week stopped a passenger with an assault rifle and 163 rounds of ammunition from being carried onto a plane headed to Houston. (Cr NEW ORLEANS - An officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stopped a passenger last week with an assault rifle and 163 rounds of ammunition, the agency said.
Officials said the 52-year-old passenger would've carried the items onboard a plane at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) heading to Houston.
A deputy with Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrived and confiscated the Palmetto PA-15 Multi AR firearm loaded with 30 rounds of .300 caliber ammunition.
Five additional magazines were also found loaded. (Credit: TSA) The passenger now faces a civil penalty from the TSA that could be fined nearly $15,000.RELATED: TSA finds 84 mm caliber weapon in checked luggage at Texas airport"Threat detection is our mission and our dedicated workforce is protecting the traveling public every day," TSA Federal Security Director Arden Hudson said in a news release. "Passengers need to focus on what is inside their carry-ons before entering our checkpoint.