In the first three months of this year, over 1,500 firearms were detected at American airport security checkpoints nationwide, federal officials report. Approximately 93% of these firearms were loaded, as stated by the Transportation Security Administration in a news release. The TSA conducted screenings for over 206 million passengers in the first quarter of 2024, spanning from the 1st of January to the 31st of March.
A total of 1,503 firearms were discovered by TSA officers, averaging about 16.5 firearms per day at airports across the country. This figure is a slight decrease from the previous year's same period, which saw an average of 16.8 firearms per day or 7.9 firearms per million passengers. TSA Administrator David Pekoske expressed in the release that although the frequency of passengers carrying firearms to checkpoints has dropped, any firearm found is one too many.
He emphasized that the surge in air travel demand persists, and maintaining security remains their top concern. Each firearm found at a checkpoint disrupts the screening process for everyone. Pekoske reminded that while traveling with firearms is permissible, they must be properly packed and declared at the airline ticket counter. Firearms should be unloaded and secured in a hard-sided case.
He advised passengers to pack with a 'clean bag' to prevent inadvertently including firearms, weapons, or other banned items. The TSA does not seize firearms at checkpoints but rather alerts local law enforcement to handle and secure the weapon. This may result in the passenger being arrested or fined up to $15,000 by the TSA. Additionally, offenders may be barred from the TSA's expedited screening program for up to five years.
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