TSA Reports Houston And Dallas Among Top 5 Airports Where Weapons Are Found In Bags

HOUSTON, TX -- The Transportation Security Administration is seeing more and more guns coming through security checkpoints at airports nationwide, with 2016 being the highest on record.

In 2016, TSA Agents intercepted 3,391 firearms in carry-on baggage at airport security checkpoints, a 28 percent increase in firearm discoveries from the total of 2,653 in 2015.

Eighty-three percent of the guns caught in 2016 were loaded.

The 3,391 firearms discovered in carry-on bags in 2016 average out to about nine firearms per day, according to TSA officials.

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

Although the problem is widespread, TSA Agents at five airports reported more weapons found that other airports, with two of those airports in Texas.

Those airports included:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 198
• Dallas/Fort Worth:192
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 128
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 101
• Denver International: 98

These same airports were also in the top five in the U.S. for weapons detection and confiscation in 2014 and 2015, TSA officials said

In December, the TSA reported 10 incidents of weapons found at airports, with most of those reported at Washington, D.C. area airports.

Dulles reported three incidents, while BWI - Baltimore-Washington International -- reported two and Norfolk and Richmond International also reporting weapons detection incidents in December.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and Newark, New Jersey also reported incidents during the same time frame.
So far in 2017, three incidents involving weapons have been reported in airports on the east coast.

Weapons, including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, are never permitted in carry-on bags, but they can be transported in checked bags if they are properly packed and declared to the airline.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on TSA.gov.

Image:frankieleon via Flickr