TSA detects second firearm in two days at Boston Logan International Airport

Local Press Release
Friday, May 20, 2022
BOS TSO’s detected this .380 caliber firearm and magazine containing a total of 9 rounds on Thursday, May 19, 2022. (TSA Photo)

BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped another passenger from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Thursday. This was second firearm detected by TSA in two days at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

During security screening in Terminal B on Thursday morning, TSA officers detected a firearm in a man’s carry-on bag. TSA officers immediately alerted the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) who responded and discovered the firearm was loaded with one round chambered and another eight rounds in a magazine. After questioning, MSP confiscated the firearm and informed the Missouri man he would be receiving a citation in the mail. He was then cleared to continue onto St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

“With the summer travel period right around the corner, we ask that travelers to take a good look inside their carry-on bags to ensure that they have no prohibited—or illegal—items,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “Carelessly traveling with a loaded firearm is a public safety concern, considering it could accidentally be discharged during a search. I strongly urge all gun owners to ensure they know where their firearm is before traveling to the airport.”

Thursday’s gun catch was the ninth by TSA officers at a BOS security checkpoint this year. TSA detected 18 firearms at BOS security checkpoints in 2021.

There have been 11 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022.

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 $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.

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