St. Augustine man questioned after checking disassembled grenade launcher on to flight, per TSA

Rocket propelled grenade launcher A St. Augustine man checked this rocket propelled grenade launcher on to a flight, while it was disassembled. The TSA says the device was not a functioning launcher. (TSA)

By Stephanie Brown

A St. Augustine man has been questioned and released, after checking a disassembled rocket propelled grenade launcher on a flight, according to the TSA.

The TSA says the man was traveling from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania to Orlando Sanford International Airport. The weapon’s barrel, trigger, sights, and grenade were all found in his checked bag, which triggered an alarm in the airport’s security equipment, according to investigators. The TSA determined the parts could be assembled to form the device, but the launcher was not actually functioning and the grenade is a realistic replica.

Rocket propelled grenade launcher A St. Augustine man checked this rocket propelled grenade launcher on to a flight, while it was disassembled. The TSA says the device was not a functioning launcher. (TSA)

The TSA says they found the man at his departure gate and police took him in for questioning. He allegedly said he thought he could bring the items on to a flight in a checked bag.

Rocket propelled grenade launcher A St. Augustine man checked this rocket propelled grenade launcher on to a flight, while it was disassembled. The TSA says the device was not a functioning launcher. (TSA)

The TSA says no realistic or replica weapons of a military nature can be brought on to an airplane in any fashion. If you violate that, you can face civil penalties up to $13,000.

In this case, the items were confiscated and the man was allowed to proceed on his flight, according to the TSA.