You Can’t Fly with Guns

You Can’t Fly with Guns

It is hard to imagine there are still people who feel they can pack a handgun in their carry-on luggage, board a plane to wherever; guns are not welcome.

Not only not allowed, people trying to get a gun through security is happening in record numbers. According to the TSA, more people are trying to take firearms onboard. TSA officers have confiscated a record number of funs at airport security checkpoints this year, setting a 20-year high, and there are two and a half months remaining and fewer passengers have flown this year due to COVID-19.

“The number of firearms that our TSA officers are stopping at airport checkpoints is alarming,” said David Pekoske, TSA administrator. “Firearms, particularly loaded firearms, introduce an unnecessary risk at checkpoint, have no place in the passenger cabin of an airplane and represent a very costly mistake for the passengers who attempt to board a flight with them.”

Is this crazy, or what? Through Oct. 3, 2021, nearly 4,500 airline passengers brought a gun to the security checkpoint. The previous record was 4,432 in all of 2019. That rounds out to 11 passengers per one million fliers. Compare that to the five guns per million passengers in 2019. Just guessing, but the numbers for 2021 will likely climb a little bit higher.

What role does a constitutional carry law come in to affect? None. It does not matter what state might have this law, firearms still not permitted in carry-on luggage. That includes any type of replica firearm. Persons can fly with a gun but it must be unloaded packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage; however, it would be best to contact TSA prior to arriving at the airport.

In checking the first two weeks of October, there were 13 instances where TSA stopped passengers with a firearm in their carry-on luggage. Have you noticed lately the number of unruly passengers flying these days? Thankfully, none of these troublemakers had a gun on board.

I wonder who is trying to carry guns through the security checkpoint. Not long ago I reported that a well-known retired football coach from Oklahoma had a firearm in the duffle bag. Who keeps a firearm in a duffle bag, and forgets about it? I am not buying that one, though I am sure there are some fliers who use a duffle bag for a weapons storage device. Maybe not.

Atlanta seems to have caught the highest number of people with 391, Dallas-Fort Worth with 232. Rounding out the Top 5 are George Bush Houston, 168; Phoenix, 147; and Nashville International, 115.

On a final note, in additional potential criminal citations, fliers face civil fines from bringing a firearm to the airport security checkpoint. Penalties are determined whether the gun was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.

Know this, you cannot justify bringing your trusty sidearm with you. You cannot fly with a gun.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.