More than 1,500 guns were confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration across US airports over the past 3 months, with a shocking 93% of them dangerously loaded.
The TSA screened more than 206 million people from Jan. 1 to March 31 with a staggering 1,503 firearms intercepted in security lines across airports at a rate of 16.5 guns per day, according to a statement.
Even more disturbing, 93% of the weapons were loaded, which is equivalent to nearly 1,400 guns, according to TSA.
“While it is certainly promising that the rate of passengers bringing firearms to the checkpoint has decreased, one firearm at the checkpoint is too many,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.
“The demand for air travel is as strong as ever and security is always our number one priority.”
In the first quarter of 2023, five more firearms were found compared to the 2024 count, with the same percentage found loaded with bullets.
However, 15 million fewer people were screened by the agency, with only 191 million taking off their shoes and belts to pass the checkpoint during the first quarter of 2023, a difference of 7.8%, TSA numbers show.
The airports where the most guns were found were at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in 2023, with 378 and 311 guns confiscated, according to a TSA infographic.
The 10 airports with the most confiscations were mainly found in the South, with three in Florida alone, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and Orlando International Airport.
Texas also had three major airports in the top 10, including Dallas-Fort Worth, George Bush, and Dallas Love Field.
Other airports include Nashville International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
All were in the range between 125 to 378 guns confiscated.
A total of 6,737 guns were found in carry-on luggage last year across 265 airports, TSA said.
Although passengers are legally allowed to fly with their firearms, it is prohibited in carry-on baggage. Guns must be secured in check-in baggage unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at the ticket counter.
“We always recommend passengers start with a clean bag when they pack to ensure no firearms, weapons or other prohibited items are present,” Pekoske said.
Guns are not allowed in secure areas of the airport or the flight cabin, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction, TSA said.
When TSA comes across a firearm, local law enforcement is contacted and the weapon is safely transferred into police custody.
Passengers can face arrest or be cited by police for the mishap, depending on local law.
“Local law enforcement is always called to manage the firearm and passenger in accordance with local firearms laws,” a TSA spokesperson told The Post.
TSA can, however, fine a passenger up to around $15,000 for a first offense and the offender automatically loses access to the coveted TSA PreCheck for five years, the agency said.
Additional offenses can leave passengers ineligible to rejoin TSA PreCheck and could face additional civil penalties.
The Post has reached out to TSA for comment.
