In October 2023, TSA officers at BDL stopped this 9mm firearm along with nine rounds of ammunition from getting onto an aircraft. The 42-year-old male passenger was arrested on a state charge. (TSA Photo)
HARTFORD – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at nine New England airports detected a record 52 firearms in 2023, five more than the previous record of 47 set in 2022.
In 2023, TSA New England screened more than 30.5 million individuals, which indicates the agency intercepted 1.7 firearms per million passengers, equaling last year’s 1.7 per million passengers in 2022.
The increase in the number of firearms detected at New England airports mirrored what happened around the country. Throughout 2023, TSA officers nationwide detected a record 6,737 firearms in carry-on bags or on passengers at checkpoints.
Nationally, 93% of firearms detected by TSA officers were loaded. In New England, the rate of loaded firearms detected was 89%.
“We take it very seriously when our officers stop a traveler with a gun during the screening process,” said William Csontos, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Connecticut. “Gun owners need to know where their firearms are at all times. Carelessly traveling with a firearm is a public safety concern, considering it could accidentally be discharged during a search. There is a proper way to travel safely with a firearm.” He added gun owners should visit the TSA website for instructions on how to properly travel with a firearm.
TSA Security Checkpoint Firearm Detections at New England Airports (2021 to 2023):
(Note: TSA officers do not confiscate firearms)
|
CODE |
AIRPORT |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
|
BOS |
Boston Logan International |
18 |
31 |
18 |
|
PWM |
Portland International Jetport |
9 |
3 |
4 |
|
BDL |
Bradley International |
8 |
5 |
9 |
|
BGR |
Bangor International |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
HVN |
Tweed New Haven |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
PVD |
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
BTV |
Patrick Leahy Burlington International |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
MHT |
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
ORH |
Worcester Regional Airport |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
52 |
47 |
40 |
In New England, only Boston Logan saw a decrease in firearms detected from the previous year, 31 down to 18. Boston Logan’s 18 firearm detections ranked 78th nationally in 2023, they ranked 51st in 2022. The following airports all had a record number of firearm detections at security screening checkpoints; Portland (9), Bangor (4), Tweed-New Haven (4) and Worcester (2). Bradley, Burlington, and Manchester also saw increases in firearms detected from 2022. The 9mm gun was the most detected firearm at New England airports.
The top five airports where TSA officers detected firearms at checkpoints in 2023 were: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International with 451; Dallas/Fort Worth International with 378; Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 311; Phoenix Sky Harbor International with 235 and Nashville International with 188.
When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSOs immediately contact local law enforcement, who remove the passenger and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the passenger. TSA does not confiscate firearms.
In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to approximately $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
In some cities, local law enforcement may file criminal charges against travelers who bring firearms to the TSA checkpoint. TSA will assess civil penalties that vary by number of previous offenses and whether the firearm was loaded at the time. The complete list of penalties is posted online. Firearms are not permitted in the passenger cabin of an airplane; this includes travelers with a concealed weapon permit.
Airline passengers can fly with firearms in checked baggage if the firearms are properly packed and declared at check-in. However, firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure they transport guns in accordance with applicable laws.
Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.
For more information on how to properly travel with a firearm, visit: The transporting firearms and ammunition page on TSA.gov. You can also view the complete list of penalties on TSA.gov.