Pilot Arrested After Discovery of Loaded Gun in Carry-On

Pilot Arrested After Discovery of Loaded Gun in Carry-On

A pilot was arrested at a Florida airport after his loaded gun was found in a carry-on bag.

Authorities in Florida report the arrest of an airline pilot after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on. The pilot, a 54-year-old man, who worked for Sun County Airlines was arrested when the Transportation Security Administration found a loaded pistol in his suitcase during screening.

The News-Press identified Brian Andrew Machtemes of Minnetonka, Minn. as the arrested pilot. He was taken into custody at Southwest Florida International Airport. A Lee County Port Authority report says Machtemes had a permit to carry the gun in Minnesota, but the permit was not valid in Florida.

Airline spokesperson Kristen Wenker confirmed Machtemes is a pilot, but declined further common for privacy reasons.

The TSA allows unloaded firearms locked in containers only as checked baggage. The firearm and its ammunition must be declared at the time the traveler is checking the baggage. 

For several years, the TSA has reported finding record numbers of firearms at airport checkpoints as both the number of people flying and the number of people legally carrying firearms have increased. In just 2017 alone, the TSA levied 4,000 civil penalties totaling $1.4 million against travelers who violated firearms regulations at airports around the country. 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Report Reveals Security Training Reduces Global Phishing Click Rates by 86%

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, today launched its “Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report 2025” which measures an organization’s Phish-prone Percentage (PPP) — the percentage of employees likely to fall for social engineering or phishing attacks, indicating the organization’s overall susceptibility to phishing threats. This year’s report found a global average baseline PPP of 33.1%, meaning a third of employees interact with phishing simulations before taking part in best-practice security awareness training (SAT).COVER 2025-PIB-NA-Report_EN-US Read Now

  • TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement Today

    Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the imminent implementation of its REAL ID enforcement measures at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Read Now

  • Body-Worn Cameras on the Rise

    On the evening of Oct. 29, 2024, the owner of 300 Guard based in Houston, was shot while on duty at a convenience store. He returned fire. He was wearing a plated vest and thankfully recovered in the hospital. Read Now

  • Brazil Port Enhances Surveillance and Supports Wildlife Conservation with Sustainable Technology

    Ferroport, which operates the iron ore terminal at the Port of Açu in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has deployed state-of-the-art video surveillance cameras from Axis Communications to enhance nighttime security and visibility, while decreasing environmental impact and prioritizing sustainability. With cutting-edge technology, the port now has precise surveillance cameras that capture high-quality nighttime images, while reducing the amount of artificial lighting that negatively impacts the surrounding ecosystem. Read Now

  • Fast-Forward from 1,000 B.C.E. to Today

    The lock and key have been around since time immemorial. In fact, the locksmith profession is one of the oldest in the world when you consider the earliest wooden tumbler lock debuted three-plus millennia ago. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.