More Than 800 Guns Found at Security Checkpoints in 2011, Research Finds
More than 800 guns were detected at airport security checkpoints in 2011. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan found that during 2011, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) distributed about $437.1 million in contract obligations toward airport screening technologies.
According to Frost & Sullivan, airport screening processes mainly use exposive detection systems. In the future, however, there will be more demand for smaller, more versatile systems that can enhance throughput speed.
"Significant revenue growth in airport screening technology will depend on innovations in systems for the mass screening of personnel," said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst John Hernandez. "A technology that can screen large groups subtly to categorize and separate them based on risk will revive interest and open up the market."
The company also said private security companies soon could be handling passenger screening at U.S. airports and that as terrorism becomes more adaptive, there will be an urgent need to replace and repair the existing security systems.
Their research also found that Backscatter X-ray systems have also come under scrutiny. Specifically, the European Union has banned these devices due to scientific evidence showing that low doses of ionizing radiation, which is beamed directly at the body by these X-ray scanners, increase the risk of cancer.
"The TSA has repeatedly defined the scanners as 'safe,' but there is still uncertainty surrounding the technology," said Hernandez. "This may compel market participants to make public their own scientific research relating to these risks and use this opportunity to attract new customers."