BDL TSO’s detected this 9mm firearm and a total of 13 rounds on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. (TSA Photo)
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a Connecticut man from carrying a loaded firearm onto his flight at Bradley International Airport (BDL) on Wednesday, January 24.
During Wednesday morning security screening, TSA officers detected the firearm in the man’s carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified Connecticut State Police (CSP) who responded and discovered a loaded 9mm firearm along with a total of 13 rounds. After questioning, CSP arrested the 57-year-old man on state charges of circumventing security, and carrying a firearm without a license.
“Our TSA officers continue to do a fantastic job preventing firearms from entering the secure area of the airport,” 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 ensure they are properly packed in their checked baggage.
This was the first firearm detected at a BDL security checkpoint this year and the first in New England. In 2023 TSA discovered eight firearms at BDL 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.