Boise Airport security hit record for firearms detected in 2022. It just found two more
Two air travelers at the Boise Airport each faced fines of up to $14,950 after federal officers located firearms in the passengers’ carry-on bags as they attempted to pass through the security checkpoint Monday morning.
The two handguns — one of them loaded — were the 30th and 31st firearms discovered at the Boise Airport this year. It places the regional air hub just off its record pace of 40 total firearms found in carry-on luggage in 2022, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The two firearms Monday were detected within a 4-hour span during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint, TSA said in a news release. Of the now 31 firearms detected at Boise’s TSA checkpoint this year, all but two have been loaded, TSA said.
“Firearm owners should take note: If you are planning to travel with your firearm, take a few minutes to ensure that you are doing so properly,” Andy Coose, TSA’s federal security director for Idaho, said in the release. “After TSA officers discovered this traveler’s firearm in his carry-on bag, one traveler remarked that because he left two boxes of ammunition at home, he thought he could bring his loaded firearm to the security checkpoint. This traveler was obviously mistaken.”
Air travelers are banned from bringing firearms through airport security because they are not allowed to access them during a flight. The same rule applies to passengers who possess concealed carry permits. In addition, travelers registered for TSA PreCheck will lose their access to the security fast-track program if they bring a firearm to the checkpoint.
Passengers are, however, allowed to bring firearms with them in checked baggage, but they must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided, locked case. That locked case is to be placed in a checked bag and declared upon check-in at the airline ticket counter. More details about traveling with a firearm are available on TSA’s website.
So far this year, TSA has discovered more than 5,000 guns at its 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide, according to the release. In 2022, the federal security agency found more than 6,500 firearms — nearly 90% of them loaded.
The myTSA app offers a way for air travelers to confirm which items they can bring in their carry-on luggage, must be checked or must be left at home altogether. Passengers with questions also may ask TSA directly by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872), by using Facebook Messenger or reaching out on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, at @AskTSA.
