The world’s busiest airport announced another record haul of firearms this year.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has easily surpassed last year’s record of 245 with nearly six weeks to run until the end of the year.
A total of 293 firearms had been seized at checkpoints as of last week.
At least 80% of guns seized were loaded.
As usual ‘absent-minded’ travelers are mostly to blame.
"I know you can’t imagine this, but the passenger will say, ‘I forgot it was in the bag,’" the TSA’s Atlanta federal security director Mary Leftridge Byrd said.
TSA officials said 248 of them were seized from carry-ons at security screening checkpoints with 45 not packed correctly in checked bags or were not declared.
With an eye towards the busy Thanksgiving holiday period, travelers are being urged to take no chances.
"Double and triple check before you come to the airport to make sure you do not have a firearm, if you intend to fly," said US Attorney Byung J. Pak.
Airport officials said they expect nearly 100,00 passengers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which would be a record.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said the agency is projecting a 6% increase in passengers at security checkpoints across the country for Thanksgiving.
