Airport Gun Detections Hit 'Deeply Troubling' Record In 2019: TSA

A record 4,432 guns — most of them loaded — were intercepted at security checkpoints at U.S. airports in 2019, a “deeply troubling trend,” Transportation Security Administration Director David Pekoske said.

The number of guns detected was not only the highest in the 18-year history of the agency but also represented an increase of almost 5 percent from the 4,239 detected in 2018. According to a TSA report released Wednesday, 87 percent of the weapons found either on a passenger or in carry-on luggage were loaded.

The guns, discovered at a rate of about a dozen a day, were found at 278 airport checkpoints nationwide.

Even if travelers have concealed weapons permits, they’re not allowed to carry them onto an airplane; however, they can stow them in checked bags if they follow guidelines to transport firearms and ammunition safely.

Ammunition must be in its original box and can be packed inside the hard-side case, next to the firearm. Even if the box of ammunition is not full, the bullets must be in their original case. Then the case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter and the airline representative informed that the passenger wants to travel with the gun. Firearms are transported with checked baggage and are placed in the cargo hold of the aircraft.

“There is a proper way to travel safely with a firearm," Pekoske said in a statement. "First and foremost, it should be unloaded. Then it should be packed in a hard-sided locked case, taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared, and checked.”

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

Firearm possession laws vary greatly across the country and in some cities. The TSA says travelers need to know the laws in their destinations to ensure they have the proper gun permits. Airlines may also have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask about the policies before arriving at the airport.

People who bring weapons to TSA checkpoints are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000, depending on the type of weapon. A full list of penalties is posted on the TSA website.