(TSA Photo)
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped another firearm from entering a BOS security checkpoint yesterday.
On Tuesday evening around 7:30, a TSA officer detected a loaded .380 firearm along with a magazine containing three 9mm rounds in a man’s carry-on bag at a security checkpoint. TSA officers immediately notified Massachusetts State Police who questioned and eventually arrested the Delaware resident. This was the 13th firearm detection this year by TSA officers at BOS security checkpoints.
“Two times in less than a week our officers have prevented loaded guns from being carried onto flights by individuals,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Saying that you didn’t know the firearm was in your bag is no excuse. Responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and don’t make these sorts of careless mistakes. Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they are properly packed in their checked baggage.”
In 2020 TSA discovered a total of 11 firearms at BOS security checkpoints and 18 in 2019.
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 handgun 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.