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Global Industry News

TSA reports decline in firearms found at airport checkpoints in 2024

Research

Caroline Tanner News reporter | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Jan 27, 2025

In 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported finding 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints across the United States. This discovery was made despite federal laws prohibiting passengers from bringing loaded or unloaded firearms through airport security. Of these firearms, 94% were loaded and found in carry-on luggage, personal belongings, on passengers, or even hidden in baby strollers.

The TSA screened over 904 million passengers last year, equating to approximately 18.2 firearms discovered daily and about 7.4 per million passengers screened. The total number of firearms detected has been rising since at least 2008, except for a dip in 2020 due to reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the figure for 2024 shows a slight decrease from the previous year's total of 6,737.

The agency's "Prepare, Pack, Declare" campaign aims to educate travelers on safely transporting firearms and may be contributing to this decrease. Additionally, TSA's social media posts showcasing confiscated items could also play a role in raising awareness.

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Former TSA Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the risks associated with any firearm at a checkpoint: "One firearm at a checkpoint is too many." Such incidents pose safety hazards for both passengers and employees while also delaying operations.

Firearms are not the only concern; items resembling guns or parts thereof—such as toy guns and BB guns—are also prohibited at checkpoints.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport topped the list with 440 firearms found in 2024. Other airports with high numbers include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (390), Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (272), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (247), and Nashville International Airport (188).

As of January 20th this year, TSA officers have already found 300 firearms nationwide. When a firearm is suspected at a checkpoint, local law enforcement is called to handle it. Depending on local laws, individuals may face arrest or citation; they might alternatively place their firearm in checked luggage or hand it off to someone not traveling.

The TSA can impose civil penalties up to $14,950 per firearm and revoke TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years or more.

Travelers wishing to fly with firearms must follow specific regulations: unload them first and pack them securely in locked hard-sided containers within checked baggage before declaring them at check-in.

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