TSA on Pace to Intercept Record Number of Firearms in 2023
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 5,072 firearms at airport security checkpoints nationwide during the first three quarters of 2023. That puts the agency on pace to break last year’s record of 6,542 firearms stopped.
In the third quarter alone, which ended September 30, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) stopped 1,820 firearms at checkpoints, an average of nearly 20 a day. TSA reports that 94 percent of the seized guns were loaded.
“Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport or in the passenger cabin of an aircraft even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
Guns Seized at Airports Coast to Coast
At Baltimore-Washington International TSOs already caught a record 36 guns trying to get through the security checkpoint in 2023, breaking last year’s record of 35.
At Pittsburgh International Airport, TSOs caught five guns in the first seven days of October. The airport tied its 2019 record of 35 guns caught in a year.
“It’s a constant battle to prevent travelers from bringing their guns to our checkpoints,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the Pittsburgh airport. “Our officers are vigilant and focused on our mission. This proliferation of passengers toting their firearms with their carry-on items needs to stop.”
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, TSOs detected five firearms and two “realistic replica guns” in the first week of October.
Two travelers were also stopped at Boise International Airport for loaded guns in their carry-on baggage the first week of October, marking 31 guns caught so far this year at Boise.
The TSA reminds travelers that they are only permitted to carry firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided, locked case. Firearms must also be declared to the airline when checking in baggage.
If a traveler is caught trying to sneak a firearm through carry-on luggage, local law enforcement is contacted, and the traveler may be arrested depending on local law. The TSA may also impose a fine of up to almost $15,000 and travelers who violate the law will lose TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years.