During security screening BOS TSO’s detected this .40 caliber firearm with a total of nine rounds on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. (TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a passenger from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Tuesday. During the month of May TSA officers have detected six firearms at security checkpoints at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
On Tuesday morning, TSA officers detected the firearm in a passenger’s backpack during security screening in Terminal A. TSA immediately alerted the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), who upon inspection discovered the firearm was loaded with a round chambered and another eight rounds in the magazine. After questioning, MSP confiscated the firearm and informed the New Hampshire resident he would receive a summons in the mail.
“Summer travel season is here and it is getting busier at security checkpoints, thankfully 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 13 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year, 11 of which were loaded. TSA detected 18 firearms at BOS security checkpoints in 2021.
There have been 15 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 13 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.