A criminal complaint says Robert Paulson of Ankeny, Iowa, was going through screening procedures Sept. 8 when the screener saw something metal in the X-ray. A 40-caliber H&K pistol and bullets were found in his bag.
The complaint says Paulson had been in New York for at least the day and was returning to Iowa.
He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance. His next court date is Sept. 19.
A telephone number for Paulson could not be found, and it's unclear if he has an attorney. New York-based JetBlue says it's cooperating with the investigation but isn't sharing any additional details.