BDL TSO’s detected this .380 caliber firearm along with six rounds in a man’s carry-on bag on Thursday, December 28, 2023. (TSA Photo)
January 01, 2024
By Highpoint Digest News Staff
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. -(Highpoint Digest) –On December 28, 2023, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a Massachusetts resident from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane Thursday, at Bradley International Airport (BDL). This was the eighth firearm detected by TSA officers at a BDL security checkpoint in 2023.
During Thursday morning’s security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified the Connecticut State Police (CSP). During their search, CSP discovered a loaded .380 caliber firearm along with six rounds. CSP eventually arrested the 56-year-old Massachusetts man on a state charge.
“It is disturbing that some firearm owners continue to bring loaded firearms into an airport security screening area,” said William Csontos, TSA Federal Security Director for Connecticut. “Loaded firearms at TSA security checkpoints present an unacceptable safety and security risk to other passengers.”
| Bradley International | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Number of Firearm Detections | 8 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
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.
Source: TSA
