TSA Seizes More Guns At Atlanta Than Any US Airport In 2019

ATLANTA, GA — Transportation Security Administration officers confiscated more handguns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport checkpoints in 2019 than at any other airport in the country, according to a press release. TSA officials say at airport checkpoints across the U.S. more handguns were seized last year than the year before. In Atlanta, more than 300 firearms were seized in 2019.

In 2019, TSA officers found a total of 4,432 firearms on passengers or in carry-on bags nationwide. That comes out to an average of 12.1 firearms a day, or a 5 percent overall increase in discoveries compared to the 4,239 confiscated in 2018 across the U.S. Of all the firearms detected at checkpoints in 2019, 87 percent were loaded.

In 2019, TSA confiscated firearms at 278 airport checkpoints nationwide.

The top 10 airports where guns were found were:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 323
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 217
3. Denver International Airport, (DEN): 140
4. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 138
5. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 132
6. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL): 103
7. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 100
8. Nashville International Airport (BNA): 97
9. Orlando International Airport (MCO): 96
10. Tampa International Airport (TPA): 87

TSA can level federal civil penalties of up to $13,000 against individuals who bring firearms to an airport checkpoint, with a typical penalty for first-time offense being $4,100. Those travelers may face additional criminal charges from law enforcement.

All travelers are prohibited from carrying a firearm onto a plane. This even applies to travelers with a concealed weapon permit.

What is the proper procedure for transporting firearms on flights?

Firearms are permitted in checked bags if the following requirements are met:

• They are declared to the airline in advance.
• They are unloaded and properly packed.
• The carrier possesses the necessary permits.

Firearms carried as checked baggage must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read the guidelines.

Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on, but may be transported in checked baggage.

Passengers should check with their airline if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees.

More information on how to travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA's website.