ORH TSO’s detected this loaded .22 revolver firearm with six rounds on Monday, August 21, 2023. (TSA Photo)
WORCESTER, Mass. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a passenger from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane Monday, August 21 at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH).
During Monday late afternoon security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm in a female passenger’s carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified Massachusetts State Police (MSP) who discovered a loaded .22 revolver and 6 rounds inside the 59-year-old woman’s bag. MSP confiscated the firearm, and then cited the Massachusetts resident. She was eventually allowed to continue.
“A gun owner who possess a Massachusetts License to Carry should know the rules and not bring a loaded firearm to a checkpoint,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Bringing a loaded firearm into a security checkpoint is dangerous for everyone in the vicinity.”
This was the second firearm detection this year at an ORH security checkpoint. The first detection happened on August 6. Both firearms were loaded.
TSA officers have detected a total of 37 firearms at New England security checkpoints in 2023; 12 at BOS, 6 at PWM, 5 at BDL, 3 each at BGR and HVN, 2 each at PVD, BTV and ORH and 1 each at AUG, and MHT. In 2022 there was a record 47 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.