BOS TSO’s detected this .45 caliber revolver firearm on Monday, March 13, 2023. (TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a New Hampshire resident from carrying a firearm onto an airplane Monday morning at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
During mid-morning security screening in Terminal A, TSA officers detected a firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified Massachusetts State Police (MSP) who responded and interviewed the 55-year-old male passenger. After completing a background check. MSP took possession of the firearm.
“Once again our officers are on top of preventing a firearm from entering the secure area of the airport,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “When traveling with a firearm, gun owners need to have a permit to carry, and ensure the firearm is in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Finally, they need to declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking their bag at the ticket counter."
TSA officers have now detected 4 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year.
|
Boston Logan International |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Number of Firearm Detections |
4 |
31 |
18 |
11 |
18 |
20 |
TSA officers have detected a total of 10 firearms at New England security checkpoints in 2023; 4 at BOS, 2 at BDL, and 1 each at BGR, BTV, MHT and PWM. In 2022 there were a record 46 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints.
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 $3,000 and can go as high as $15,000 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.