WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration intercepted 5,072 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first three quarters of 2023, and at the current rate, it will surpass last year’s record of 6,542 firearms.
In the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) stopped 1,820 firearms at checkpoints — an average 19.8 firearms per day. More than 94% were loaded, the agency said.
“Passengers may travel with a firearm, but it must be in their checked baggage,” said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms are only permitted in checked baggage, unloaded in a locked hard-sided case and must be declared to the airline when checking the bag at the ticket counter. Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport or in the passenger cabin of an aircraft even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction.”
TSA notes if a passenger brings a firearm to the TSA checkpoint, the TSO will contact local law enforcement to safely unload and take possession of the firearm, adding the law enforcement officer may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law.
TSA may impose a civil penalty up to almost $15,000, and passengers who present with a firearm at a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years, it said.
TSA recommends that passengers pack a carry-on bag that is empty to ensure no firearms are unintentionally left in their travel bag.
A complete list of penalties can be found at TSA.gov.
