PVD TSO’s detected this 9mm firearm and a magazine containing a total of 11 .38 caliber rounds on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (TSA Photo)
WARWICK, R.I. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a male passenger from carrying a firearm onto an airplane at T.F. Green Airport (PVD) on Tuesday, June 28.
On Tuesday afternoon during security screening, a TSA officer detected the firearm in the man’s carry-on bag. Rhode Island Airport Police (RIAP) responded, and discovered the 9mm firearm was loaded. along with a magazine containing a total of 11 rounds. The Oklahoma resident did have a permit, but did not check and declare the firearm. RIAP retained possession of the firearm and the passenger was eventually cleared through security and allowed to continue.
“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.”
This was the second firearm detection at a PVD security checkpoint this year. In 2021, TSA detected two firearms at T.F. Green security checkpoints, and four in 2020.
There have been 18 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 14 at BOS, 2 at PVD, 1 at BDL and 1 at MHT.
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.