On August 2, 2026, authorities at Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York stated that a firearms storage and safety expert was charged on Friday, July 31, with attempting to bring a backpack containing a loaded handgun onto a plane.
Kieran Coffey, spokesperson for the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, confirmed that Thomas C. Kubiniec, aged 64, faced charges of illegally possessing a firearm in a sensitive area, which is a serious felony offense.
Coffey verified that just past 10 a.m. that day, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at the main terminal of the airport discovered a Sig Sauer P365 handgun in the backpack carried by Kubiniec during a security check.
Additionally, Coffey confirmed that Kubiniec held a gun permit in the state of New York.
Officers from the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police Department (SRAAPD) arrived at the scene promptly and confiscated the firearm as evidence.
Authorities typically consult with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to pursue charges against individuals caught carrying firearms into airports.
Assistant District Attorney Joe Coolican declined to disclose the reasons why Kubiniec might be prosecuted, citing that the case is still under review.
Previously, the District Attorney’s Office had chosen not to prosecute some individuals caught carrying firearms into airports.
Kubiniec has been issued a court appearance notice and released. Later on Friday, he informed the media website syracuse.com|The Post-Standard that after a filming event on Thursday, he accidentally forgot the gun in his bag, mentioning that he usually carried it in a separate pack.
Kubiniec is the founder and CEO of SecureIt Tactical, a company based in the Syracuse area known for designing and installing storage systems for military and police weapons and firearms storage solutions for use by the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, and civilian gun owners.
As per the company’s website, Kubiniec is an expert in firearms storage and armory design, advocating for modern firearm storage methods for over twenty years, emphasizing safety, accessibility, and responsible gun ownership.
He also runs a YouTube channel focused on discussing firearm storage issues.