BDL TSO’s detected this .9mm firearm and magazine containing a total of 9 rounds on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. (TSA Photo)
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a man from carrying a loaded firearm onto his flight at Bradley International Airport (BDL) on Tuesday, September 20.
During Tuesday afternoon security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm in the man’s laptop bag. TSA immediately notified Connecticut State Police (CSP). During a search of the bag, CSP discovered a loaded .9mm firearm with a chambered round. After questioning, CSP arrested the Connecticut resident for carrying a firearm without a permit.
“Our TSA officers once again prove why they are vital to airport security,” said William Csontos, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Connecticut. “Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they declare them with the airline and that they are properly packed in their checked baggage.”
This was the third firearm detected at a BDL security checkpoint this year. Still far below the nine detected in 2021.
|
Bradley International |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Number of Firearm Detections |
3 |
9 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
There have been 29 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 20 at BOS, 3 at BDL, 3 at PVD, 2 at BGR 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 handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100 and can go as high as $13,669 depending on any aggravating 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.