US agency stops record number of guns at airport security in 2022
- Of the 6,301 guns discovered by officers at checkpoints, more than 88 per cent were loaded – an all-time high since tracking began 21 years ago
- Firearms are not allowed in carry-on bags at any security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit, officials said
Authorities have stopped more than 6,000 firearms from going through US airport security checkpoints so far this year, the most in the history of the Transportation Security Administration, officials said.
Of the 6,301 guns discovered by officers at checkpoints, more than 88 per cent were loaded.
“TSA anticipates it will prevent about 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports by the end of 2022, a nearly 10 per cent increase over 2021’s record level,” officials said.
Last year, officers discovered 5,972 guns at checkpoints nationwide, marking what was then an all-time high since the TSA was created 21 years ago and began tracking firearm discoveries.
“Firearm possession laws vary by state and local government, but firearms are never allowed in carry-on bags at any TSA security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit,” officials said.
The TSA said it has increased the maximum civil penalty for such violations to US$14,950. Those caught with a gun at a checkpoint will also have PreCheck eligibility revoked for at least five years.
