BOS TSO’s detected this .380 caliber firearm and a magazine containing a total of 7 rounds on Monday, August 1, 2022. (TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped another passenger from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Monday at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
On Monday evening, during security screening at the PreCheck lane of the Delta checkpoint, TSA officers detected a firearm in a man’s backpack. TSA immediately alerted the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). MSP discovered the .380 caliber firearm was loaded with a chambered round. MSP confiscated the firearm and informed the New Hampshire resident he would receive a citation.
“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. Gun owners need to ensure they know where their firearm is before traveling to the airport.”
TSA officers have now detected 15 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year, 13 of which have been loaded. TSA detected 18 firearms at BOS security checkpoints in 2021.
There have been 20 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 15 at BOS, 2 at PVD, 1 at BDL, 1 at MHT and 1 at BGR.
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.