BOS TSO’s detected this .9mm firearm and two magazines containing a total of 13 rounds on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped two more passengers within 24-hours from carrying loaded firearms onto an airplane. TSA has now detected five firearms in the past week at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
On Tuesday afternoon and again on Wednesday morning, TSA officers detected the firearms in the passenger’s carry-on bags during security screening. Both detections happened in Terminal B. On Tuesday, TSA immediately alerted the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), who upon inspection discovered the firearm was loaded with two magazines containing a total of 13 rounds. After questioning, MSP confiscated the firearm and cited the passenger.
On Wednesday morning, TSA officers detected another firearm at the same checkpoint in Terminal B. MSP responded and found the firearm was loaded with one round chambered, as well as two magazines containing a total of 17 rounds. MSP issued the New Hampshire resident a summons. The passenger was then cleared to continue
Summer travel season starts this weekend and it is getting busier at security checkpoints, but our TSA officers continue to do an amazing job preventing firearms from entering the secure area of the airport,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Carelessly traveling with a loaded firearm is a public safety concern, considering it could accidentally be discharged during a search. I strongly urge all gun owners to ensure they know where their firearm is before traveling to the airport.”
TSA officers have now detected a total of 12 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year, 10 of which were
loaded. TSA detected 18 firearms at BOS security checkpoints in 2021.
There have been 14 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 12 at BOS, 1 at BDL and 1 at PVD.
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 gun 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.