WASHINGTON D.C., DC — From January through September, the Transportation Security Administration says it intercepted 5,028 guns at airport security checkpoints in the United States.
This total, taken from data observed during the first nine months of 2024, represents an average of 18.3 firearms per day found at TSA checkpoints. 93% of the guns were loaded.
Through the first three quarters of 2024, Transportation Security Officers screened more than 678 million passengers, which set records for travel volumes. There were 40 million more travelers compared to the same period in 2023, representing an increase of nearly 6.3% in 2024.
According to TSA, the rate of firearms discoveries at its checkpoints from July through September was 7.5 guns per one million passengers, which represents a decrease from the same three months in 2023 when officers found 8.1 guns per one million passengers.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske says TSA is committed to keeping travelers, its officers, and airport employees safe. He says the number of guns being found at airport security checkpoints remains a significant challenge.
“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,” Pekoske said. “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.”
When it comes to following the rules, Pekoske added, “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.”
TSA recommends that airline passengers learn the proper packing procedures before arriving at the airport. Passengers can travel with a firearm only when it is secured in their checked baggage, packed unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared to the airline when checking the bag at the airline ticket counter.
Guns are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport, and in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, even when the passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction, according to TSA.
Regarding international travel, airline passengers must learn about the firearms laws of their foreign destination, which may prohibit traveling with a gun altogether and carry strong criminal penalties for doing so.
TSA says it does not confiscate or seize guns but instead contacts local law enforcement to safely take possession of the firearm. TSA adds that, depending on local laws, a passenger could be cited or arrested.
TSA may also impose a civil penalty of up to $15,000. For a first offense, passengers will lose all TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years. For a second offense, one will be permanently disqualified from participating in the program and could face additional civil penalties.
RELATED: Loaded firearm found at Bradley Int'l Airport TSA checkpoint, traveler arrested: State police
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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