Record number of firearms seized at airports, again

Thursday, 11 Jan, 2024 0

The Transportation Security Administration seized a record number of guns at airport security screening checkpoints last year.

TSA officers found 6,737 firearms at checkpoints, breaking last year’s record of 6,542 firearms.

Around 93% of the firearms seized were loaded.

“TSA officials are concerned that the majority of individuals with firearms claim they forgot that their gun was in their carry-on bag,” a TSA spokesperson said.

“Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times.”

TSA officers man checkpoints at 265 airports nationwide and last year screened a total of 858 million travelers.

Bringing a firearm into an airport is liable to a civil penalty of up to $15,000.

A traveler’s TSA PreCheck membership can also be revoked.

The agency also announced its top weird finds in passenger baggage during 2023.

It included marijuana hidden inside a diaper at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, a knife hidden in a prosthetic foot in Anchorage and an explosive in an energy drink at Tulsa.

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.

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