by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:40 AM ET, Thu April 11, 2024
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced
that the federal agency intercepted 1,503 firearms at airport security
checkpoints during the first quarter of 2024.
The total represents an average of 16.5 firearms per day
detected at TSA checkpoints, similar to the 1,508 firearms intercepted at airport
security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of the last two years, more than 93
percent of the discovered firearms were loaded. The rate of passengers with
firearms was 7.3 firearms per one million passengers, which is a slight
decrease from the same period in 2023, when the rate was 7.9 firearms per one
million passengers.
“While it is certainly promising that the rate of passengers
bringing firearms to the checkpoint has decreased, one firearm at the
checkpoint is too many,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “The demand for
air travel is as strong as ever and security is always our number one priority.”
TSA officials explained that passengers are permitted to travel
with a firearm, but it must be secured in a checked bag, unloaded, locked in a
hard-sided case, and declared to the airline when checking the bag at the
ticket counter.
“Every time we discover a firearm at the checkpoint, the
security screening process is slowed down for all,” Pekoske continued. “Traveling
with a firearm is allowed and it must be packed properly as checked baggage and
declared to the airline at the ticket counter.”
“We always recommend passengers start with a clean bag when
they pack to ensure no firearms, weapons or other prohibited items are present,”
Pekoske concluded.
The rising total of discovered firearms comes as the number
of airline
passengers screened at TSA security checkpoints increased from the same period
in 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, TSA agents screened more than 206
million passengers, compared to more than 191 million passengers last year,
representing an increase of 7.8 percent.
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