BOS TSO’s detected this .380 firearm and a magazine containing a total of six rounds on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. (TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a 78-year-old man from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Tuesday, October 11th at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
During Tuesday morning security screening in Terminal B, TSA officers detected a firearm in a passenger’s backpack. Massachusetts State Police (MSP) responded and discovered a loaded .380 firearm. MSP then took possession of the firearm and summoned the Massachusetts resident.
“Our Boston Logan TSA officers continue to prevent firearms from entering the cabin of an aircraft,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Carelessly traveling with a loaded firearm is dangerous and 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 23 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year, three more than the previous record of 20 in 2018.
|
Boston Logan International |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Number of Firearm Detections |
23 |
18 |
11 |
18 |
20 |
There have been 32 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 23 at BOS, 3 at PVD, 3 at BDL, 2 at BGR and 1 at MHT.
Despite its record number of firearms this year, BOS currently ranks 50th in checkpoint firearm detections at U.S. federalized airports.
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.