United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Despite lower passenger numbers, rate of gun seizures triples
Passenger traffic numbers may be well down at airports but the rate of gun seizures continue to surge.
The Transportation Security Administration said the rate of guns discovered based on the number of passengers at airport security checkpoints tripled last month.
It found 300 guns in carry-on bags in July, which equates to 15.3 guns per million people screened.
That is a big jump from last year when 5.1 guns per million people were seized.
It said about 80% of the firearms were loaded.
It doesn’t include gun owners who follow normal TSA policy by packing registered weapons in hard-sided checked luggage and declare it at the airport.
"Travelers must understand that firearms are prohibited items at airports and in the passenger cabins of aircraft. As hard as we are working to mitigate other risks at this time, no one should be introducing new ones," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
A number of theories have been cited as to why the rate of gun seizures has spiked despite a lack of passengers.
Aviation security lecturer, Jeffrey Price recently said it could be that fewer passengers means TSA screeners are checking each passenger more thoroughly, which could suggest guns are being missed during normal busy travel periods.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel