The reply ought to be zero.
In spite of everything, it’s towards federal regulation to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm to and thru an airport checkpoint.
However in 2024, Transportation Safety Administration officers found 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints across the nation. Most — 94% — of the firearms discovered have been loaded and have been found in passengers’ carry-on baggage, in private belongings, on passengers and even hidden inside some child strollers.
Whereas the quantity is alarming, it isn’t like everybody confirmed up at airports with weapons final 12 months. The company screened greater than 904 million passengers in 2024, so the whole variety of firearms discovered comes out to about 18.2 firearms “discovered” every day of the 12 months and seven.4 firearms per million passengers screened.
The overall variety of firearms discovered at airport checkpoints has risen steadily since no less than 2008, with an enormous decline in 2020 reflecting restricted journey through the coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, the 2024 complete of 6,678 firearms represents a minor lower from the 6,737 firearms the TSA present in 2023.
The TSA’s “Put together, Pack, Declare” public consciousness marketing campaign explaining the steps for safely touring with a firearm could also be doing a little good. The company’s generally cheeky social media posts that exhibit the myriad firearms “caught” at airports might need additionally helped.
Whereas the variety of firearms that officers “discovered” in 2024 does not break information, it is nonetheless a harmful tally. As former TSA Administrator David Pekoske put it, “One firearm at a checkpoint is simply too many.” It creates a security threat for passengers and staff and slows down operations.
And take into account that it isn’t solely “actual” firearms that muck up the work at airport checkpoints. The “do not carry” listing contains toy weapons, BB weapons, cap weapons, compressed air weapons, firearm silencers or suppressors, flares and flare weapons, gunpowder, ammunition, holsters, gun lighters and the rest that appears like a firearm or a part of a firearm.
Which airports topped the listing for many firearms discovered?
In 2024, the TSA found firearms at 277 airport checkpoints, with essentially the most firearms — 440 — discovered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL). The opposite airports on the highest 10 listing for firearms discoveries embrace:
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- Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW): 390
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 272
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport (PHX): 247
- Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA): 188
- Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN): 166
- Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO): 150
- Dallas Love Area (DAL): 143
- Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA): 135
- Austin-Bergstrom Worldwide Airport (AUS): 126
How is it going, firearm-wise, in 2025? In line with a TSA spokesperson, TSA officers have discovered 300 firearms at airport checkpoints nationwide as of Jan. 20.
What occurs when the TSA discovers a firearm at an airport checkpoint?
If TSA officers detect and even suspect that there is a firearm in a chunk of carry-on baggage or on an individual at an airport checkpoint, they’re going to cease the road, shut the lane and name in native regulation enforcement officers. These officers will open the bag and search for the firearm or firearm element, the TSA says.
In the event that they discover a firearm, the TSA will name in native regulation enforcement officers. Relying on native legal guidelines, the one who introduced the firearm to the airport could also be arrested or cited. In some instances, vacationers might merely put their firearm of their checked baggage or hand it off to a good friend or member of the family who isn’t touring earlier than persevering with on their manner.
The TSA leaves confiscating firearms as much as native regulation enforcement however warns that along with any motion taken, the company has the authority to levy a most civil penalty of $14,950 per firearm and to revoke an individual’s TSA PreCheck eligibility for no less than 5 years.
Nonetheless need to take your firearm with you whenever you fly?
You might, however you will must observe the principles and put your firearm and any ammunition in your checked baggage. You will want to unload your firearm, pack it in a hard-sided container with a lock and declare it to the airline whenever you test your bag.
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