A Ridgewood man was arrested Friday after Transportation Security Administration officers discovered a gun in his carry-on bag at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Officials say the man told officers that he had the gun because he was previously the victim of a crime.

“This is an understandable reason to own a firearm. However, guns are not permitted to be carried into the cabin of a plane,” said airport Federal Security Director Thomas Carter.

The man now faces criminal charges and a fine of up to $15,000, according to officials.