TSA Intercepted Record Amount of Guns in 2015

TSA Intercepted Record Amount of Guns in 2015

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Jan 22, 2016

The Transportation Security Administration intercepted a record 2,653 guns in carry-on luggage during 2015, more than 82 percent of those weapons were loaded.

The guns were found at security checkpoints in 236 airports around the country. The five airports with the most confiscated guns were:

  1. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: 153
  2. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 144
  3. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 100
  4. Denver International Airport: 90
  5. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 73

The previous record was set in 2014 when 2,212 firearms were intercepted. The numbers have been climbing for a while, in 2005 TSA only found 660 guns.

“The transport of firearms by commercial air in carry-on bags represents a threat to the safety and security of air travelers,” TSA said in a statement. “Through increased training in detection methods, our officers are becoming more adept at intercepting these prohibited items.”

In 2015, TSA screened over 708 million passengers, more than 1.9 million a day. It also screened roughly 432 million checked bags and 1.6 billion carry-ons.

Travelers who are found with guns can face criminal charges and penalties.

Firearms, firearm parts and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on bags, but it’s not necessarily illegal to bring a gun on a plane. Travelers are allowed to put a weapon into a checked bag as long as it is unloaded and they inform the airline.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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