TSA stops firearm during security screening at T.F. Green Airport

Local Press Release
Monday, November 1, 2021
(TSA photo)

WARWICK, R.I. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a male passenger from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane at T.F. Green Airport (PVD) on Friday, October 29. This was the third firearm detection this calendar year by TSA officers at PVD security checkpoints.

On Friday morning a TSA officer detected a fully loaded .380 caliber firearm with a round chambered in the man’s carry-on bag.  Rhode Island Airport Police responded, took custody of the firearm and allowed the passenger to fly.

 “Our TSA officers continue to do an outstanding job preventing firearms from entering the secure area of the airport,” said Daniel Burche, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Rhode Island. “Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they are properly packed in their checked baggage. When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm it can slow or shut down security screening until the police resolve the incident.”

In 2020, TSA detected four firearms at T.F. Green security checkpoints, three in 2019 and four in 2018.

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 such as a chambered round. 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.

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