49 U.S.C. § 46505 — Carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft

(a) Definition. "Loaded firearm" means a starter gun, or a weapon built or altered to fire a projectile using an explosive, that has a cartridge, detonator, or powder loaded in its chamber, magazine, cylinder, or clip.

(b) General Criminal Penalty. An individual is fined under title 18, imprisoned up to 10 years, or both, if they (1) while boarding or trying to board an aircraft used or meant for air transportation or intrastate air transportation, have a concealed dangerous weapon on or near them that would be reachable in flight; (2) have placed, tried to place, or tried to have placed a loaded firearm on that aircraft, in a spot passengers can't reach in flight; or (3) have on or near them, or have placed, tried to place, or tried to have placed on that aircraft, an explosive or incendiary device.

(c) Criminal Penalty Involving Disregard for Human Life. An individual who willfully — without regard for human safety, or with reckless disregard for human safety — violates (b), is fined under title 18, imprisoned up to 20 years, or both, and, if that causes someone's death, must be imprisoned for any term of years, or for life.

(d) Nonapplication. Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to (1) a state or local law enforcement officer, or a federal officer or employee, authorized to carry arms in an official capacity; (2) another individual the FAA Administrator or the TSA Administrator authorizes by regulation to carry a dangerous weapon in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; or (3) an individual carrying a weapon (other than a loaded firearm) in baggage a passenger can't reach in flight, if the air carrier was told about the weapon.

(e) Conspiracy. If two or more people conspire to violate (b) or (c), and one of them takes an action to carry out the conspiracy, each conspirator is punished as that subsection provides.