TSA detects firearm at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a male passenger from carrying a firearm onto an airplane at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) on Wednesday, October 16. This was the second firearm detection this year by TSA officers at an MHT security checkpoint.

On Wednesday morning, at the main security checkpoint, TSA officers detected a firearm in a male passenger's carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified the Londonderry Police Department who responded, and discovered a loaded 9mm firearm.

Police secured the firearm and the 53-year-old New Hampshire man ended up missing his flight.

"Our TSA officers continue to prevent firearms from entering the secure area of the airport," said Kieran Flynn, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Hampshire. "Passengers traveling with firearms must properly pack them in their checked bag. Firearm detections slow or shut down security screening until the police resolve the incident."

TSA detected two firearms in 2023 and one in 2022 at MHT 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.