by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:30 AM ET, Thu March 2, 2017
On Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration announced that a record number of firearms were discovered in carry-on bags during a one-day period.
According to the official website of the TSA, security officers found 21 firearms across the country in one day last week, beating the previous record of 18 set in 2014. In total last week, TSA agents found 79 firearms in carry-on luggage, 68 of which were loaded and 21 had a round in the chamber.
As if an assortment of guns wasn't enough, TSA officials also announced that security personnel confiscated a realistic replica suicide vest and claymore mine, which were training aids being transported by an explosives ordnance disposal contractor in Texas.
Despite the suicide vest and claymore mine just being training aids, TSA officers said that they do not belong on a plane and instructors traveling with the items need to plan ahead and find another way to transport them.
In addition to guns and fake suicide vests, TSA officials also discovered a live smoke grenade, a stun cane, a loaded ammunition magazine and an assortment of knives at security checkpoints.
While the TSA is urging travelers to "familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws," the agency reminded passengers that they are permitted to travel with a firearm in their checked luggage, but they must declare the weapon to the airline first.
The record-breaking day of discoveries follows a record-breaking 2016 for the TSA in terms of confiscating weapons. Last year, officers found 3,391 firearms at nearly 240 different airports, a 28 percent jump from the 2,650 weapons discovered in 2015.
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