TSA officers stop Tweed New Haven Airport’s first firearm

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a Connecticut resident from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane Thursday morning at Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN). This was the first firearm ever detected by TSA at HVN.

During Thursday afternoon security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm and six rounds in a passenger's carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified the New Haven Police (NHPD) who quickly responded and interviewed the 60-year-old male passenger. During the interview the Connecticut resident stated he forgot the firearm was in his bag. After completing a background check. NHPD took possession of the firearm and allowed the man to continue.

Even if you have a valid permit to carry, there are proper procedures you still have follow in order to travel with a firearm," said William Csontos, TSA Federal Security Director for Connecticut. "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 detected a total of 14 firearms at New England security checkpoints in 2023; 6 at BOS, 2 each at BDL and BGR, and 1 each at BTV, MHT, PWM and HVN. In 2022 there were a record 46 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 $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.