More than 1.8 million people are screened by Transportation Security Administration personnel each day at airports across the nation, and a surprising number of them are carrying weapons, included loaded guns, through security checkpoints.
As of Tuesday, the TSA reports that it has confiscated 1,855 guns that were found in carry-on bags at checkpoints, of which 1,471 were loaded. That surpasses the 1,813 confiscated in all of 2013, and there are still nearly two months and two holiday travel periods to come before the end of the year.
In the same period a total, a total of 3,048 firearms, firearm components, replica firearms, stun guns, and other similar dangerous objects have been discovered by TSA from passengers in their carry-on luggage. Last week alone, TSA discovered 41 firearms (34 of which were loaded), 16 stun guns, four replica grenades, a 13-inch cane sword, and a box-cutter found concealed in the lining of a carry-on bag, said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.
Firearms discovered by TSA are turned over to local law enforcement authorities, resulting in an arrest in about 20 percent of the cases, Johnson said.
For the record, here are the airports with the most weapons confiscated in 2014:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) - 104
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) - 90
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) - 66
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) - 62
- Denver International (DEN) - 61
Firearms can be placed in checked luggage provided that the traveler declares them with the airline, the firearm is unloaded and placed in a hard-sided container that is locked.
