TRAVEL

After a record-setting airport gun confiscation year, here are Florida airports' 2023 firearms seizure statistics

Fort Myers News-Press

Firearms confiscated at Florida airports continues to be a problem in 2023 and this is coming on the heels of 2022 when the most firearms ever were confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in Florida and the U.S.

As more flight routes are added at RSW, the problem could get worse.

In fact, the TSA has intercepted more firearms every year since 2010 except for 2020, when the pandemic slowed travel worldwide.

How many guns are confiscated at airports in the US?

Year-to-date, numbers for Florida's federalized airports, where the TSA has checkpoints set up, the numbers are already showing signs of another possible record-year. In 2022, Orlando (162), Fort Lauderdale (134) and Tampa (131) were in the Top 10 cities for firearms confiscated by the TSA. Atlanta was No. 1 (448).

Last year a total of 854 firearms were confiscated at Florida's 21 federalized airports. So far, in 2023, the number is 287 with still seven and half months left in this year. The busy summer travel season is just ahead and now is a good time, the TSA recommends, that all travelers review what they can and cannot carry on an airplane.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: Despite penalties and punishment, why aren't travelers getting the message?

A Transportation Security Administration officer overlooks the lines as travelers prepare to be screened at a checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer vacations for many and a busy travel period, serves as a crucial test for the TSA. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

"One reason is more people own firearms and the volume of people traveling continues to increase," TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz said. "Our mission is not to theorize on why so many travelers are not focusing on what is inside their suitcase before entering a federal security checkpoint, rather our mission is to intercept those firearms and keep them out of the hands of anyone inside the cabin of the aircraft."

“Firearms at TSA security checkpoints present an unacceptable safety and security risk to other passengers and I am deeply concerned that the majority of these firearms our TSOs catch are loaded,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “If you carry a firearm to the checkpoint, our TSOs will see it and there will be significant penalties, to include federal penalties and additional screening, which may prolong the security screening process. You may still travel with a firearm – it just must be properly packed in your checked baggage and you must declare it to the airline.”

Travellers form a line at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Which Florida airport has the most guns confiscated?

These are year-to-date numbers (as of May 18) for gun confiscations at Florida's 21 federalized airports. Orlando International Airport so far has seen the most gun confiscations in Florida, edging out Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by one firearm.

A total of 292 guns have been confiscated in Florida in 2023:

DAB (Daytona Beach International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 9

Year-to-date: 6

ECP (Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 14

Year-to-date: 5

(EYW) Key West International Airport

2022 firearms caught: 6

Year-to-date: 1

FLL (Fort Lauderdale)

2022 firearms caught: 134

Year-to-date: 50

The new airport terminal is filled with people during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Gainesville Airport, in Gainesville, Fla. July 29, 2021.

GNV (Gainesville)

2022 firearms caught: 11

Year-to-date: 1

JAX (Jacksonville)

2022 firearms caught: 73

Year-to-date: 28

MCO (Orlando)

2022 firearms caught: 162

Year-to-date: 51

MIA (Miami)

2022 firearms caught: 94

Year-to-date: 24

MLB (Melbourne)

2022 firearms caught: 6

Year-to-date: 2

PBI (Palm Beach)

2022 firearms caught: 33

Year-to-date: 9

PGD (Punta Gorda Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 12

Year-to-date: 5

PIE (St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 20

Year-to-date: 6

PNS (Pensacola International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 30

Year-to-date: 15

RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 49

Year-to-date: 15

SFB (Orlando Sanford International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 8

Year-to-date: 6

SGJ (Northeast Florida Regional Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 0

Year-to-date: 0

SRQ (Sarasota Bradenton International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 20

Year-to-date: 12

TLH (Tallahassee International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 15

Year-to-date: 4

TPA (Tampa International Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 131

Year-to-date: 28

(VPS) Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 27

Year-to-date: 5

VRB (Vero Beach Regional Airport)

2022 firearms caught: 0

Year-to-date: 0

A television displays a "no guns" sign at the Transportation Security Administration security area at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Atlanta. Last year saw a record number of guns intercepted at airport checkpoints across the country. The numbers have been steadily climbing and hit 6,542 last year. The head of the Transportation Safety Administration, David Pekoske, says this is a reflection of what is going on in society and in “society there are more people carrying firearms.” (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ORG XMIT: GABA101

How many guns? First quarter 2023 airport firearm confiscations in the US

TSA officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2023, which ended March 31.
That is an average of 16.8 firearms caught per day.
More than 93% of the firearms were loaded.
The number of firearm catches in the U.S. during the first quarter represents a 10.3% increase over the same period in 2022; however, the number of passengers from 2022 to 2023 has also increased.
In the first quarter of 2022, TSA officers stopped 1,367 firearms at airport security checkpoints, which averaged 15.2 firearm catches per day. More than 86% of those firearms were loaded.
During the first quarter of 2023, Transportation Security Officers screened more than 191 million passengers, compared to about 158 million passengers in the first quarter of 2022, representing an increase of 20.4%.
The rate of passengers with firearms during the most recent quarter was 7.9 firearms per one million passengers, decreasing slightly from the same period in 2022, when the rate of discovery was 8.6 firearms per one million passengers.

What are the penalties for getting caught by TSA with a gun in a carry-on bag?

Firearm possession laws vary by state and local government, but firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, at TSA security checkpoints and on board aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit.
When passengers bring firearms to the TSA security checkpoint, TSA suspends their TSA PreCheck^® eligibility for five years, which includes current TSA PreCheck members. Additionally, TSA may conduct additional screening for those passengers to ensure no other threats are present. Late last year, TSA increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950. Passengers with firearms found in a carry-on bag at a TSA checkpoint are also subject to applicable city or state laws at that airport that may include citation or arrest.
Passengers may travel with a firearm if they properly pack the firearm in checked baggage and declare it with the airline at check-in. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers must also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

To view the complete list of penalties, go to TSA.gov.