TSA firearm detections at Boston Logan International Airport continue to rise

Local Press Release
Thursday, November 10, 2022
BOS TSO’s detected this loaded .9mm firearm on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. (TSA Photo)

BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a Massachusetts woman from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Wednesday at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

During Wednesday morning security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag. Massachusetts State Police (MSP) responded and discovered .9mm firearm was loaded and had a round chambered. During questioning the woman claimed she was a Boston police officer and forgot the firearm was in her bag. MSP eventually confiscated the firearm and summoned the Massachusetts resident.

“Once again our officers are on top of preventing loaded firearms from entering the secure area of the airport,” said Bob Allison, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “When traveling with a firearm, gun owners need to have a permit to carry, and ensure the firearm is in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Finally, they need to declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking their bag at the ticket counter.”

TSA officers have now detected 26 firearms at BOS security checkpoints this year, six more than the previous record of 20 in 2018.

Boston Logan International

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Number of Firearm Detections

26

18

11

18

20

There have been 36 firearm detections at New England security checkpoints in 2022, 26 at BOS, 3 at PVD, 3 at BDL, 2 at BGR, 1 at MHT and 1 at PWM. In 2021 there were 40 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 $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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