In the first nine months of 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted more than 5,000 firearms at airport security checkpoints across the United States, and the vast majority were loaded.
Despite the risk of big fines and clear signage that firearms are prohibited in hand luggage, the TSA says that between January 2024 and the end of September 2024, its officers have detected an average of 18.3 firearms per day.
In total, 5,028 firearms were detected at airport security checkpoints during the first nine months of 2024, and around 93% were loaded.
Surprisingly, however, the message might finally be getting through. In the most recent quarter between July and September, the rate at which firearms were detected fell to 7.5 per one million passengers, compared to 8.1 firearms per one million passengers in the same period in 2023.
“Each firearm brought to a checkpoint, whether by accident or on purpose, presents a threat to other passengers and our employees, and causes delays for the traveler with the firearm,” commented TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
Passengers are only allowed to travel with firearms on domestic flights and even then there are strict rules to follow.
Pekoske added: “Passengers who travel with a firearm must store it unloaded in a locked, hard-sided case, place it in their checked bag, and declare it to the airline at the airline ticket counter.”
“We cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring firearms are secured properly in the passenger’s checked bag and never brought to the security checkpoint.”
2023 proved to be a record-breaking year for firearms interceptions at US airports after the TSA detected 6,737 firearms. Again, around 93% of intercepted firearms were loaded.
Atlanta Hartsfield Airport had the most offenders with 451 firearm interceptions, followed by Dallas Fort Worth with 373 intercepted firearms, Houston with 311, Phoenix with 235, and Nashville rounding out the top five with 188 intercepted firearms.
Passengers who are found in possession of a firearm at the security checkpoint could be arrested or issued a citation, depending on local laws. The TSA also has the power to fine passengers between $3,000 and $10,700, and repeat offenders face a potential maximum civil penalty of $14,950.
