TSA officers stopped a Maine resident from carrying this .22 onto his flight on Sunday, October 11. (TSA photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected another firearm in a man’s backpack at a BOS security checkpoint this weekend.
On Sunday just after 9:00am, TSA officers detected the loaded .22 firearm along with a magazine containing twelve rounds.
TSA officers immediately notified Massachusetts State Police, who confiscated the firearm.
The Maine resident was eventually cleared to fly. TSA officers have now detected a total of 15 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year.
“Gun owners need to know that we mean business when we detect a firearm at a checkpoint,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “We take it very seriously when our officers stop a traveler with a gun during the screening process. Guns are never allowed in the cabin of an aircraft. 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.