TSA officers stopped a New Hampshire woman from carrying this handgun onto her flight on September 29. (TSA photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped two firearms from entering the same BOS security checkpoint yesterday.
On Wednesday, TSA officers detected the two firearms within a couple of hours of each other. Around 10 am, a TSA officer detected an unloaded 9mm firearm along with a magazine containing seven rounds in a woman’s carry-on bag at a Terminal-A security checkpoint. Approximately two hours later at the same checkpoint, TSA officers identified another firearm in a carry-on bag, this time inside a man’s briefcase. The second gun, also a 9mm, was loaded with a round chambered. There was also a magazine containing seven additional bullets inside the man’s briefcase.
In both instances, TSA officers immediately notified Massachusetts State Police and each passenger was cited on state charges. TSA officers have now detected a total of 15 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year.
This just shows how vigilant our officers are. They are always alert and never rest in their search to keep weapons from being carried onto flights,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Saying that you didn’t know the firearm was in your bag is no excuse. Responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and don’t make these sorts of careless mistakes. Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they are properly packed in their checked baggage.”
In 2020, TSA discovered a total of 11 firearms at BOS security checkpoints and 18 in 2019.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100 and can go as high as $13,669 depending on any mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.