Discovered Firearms Set New TSA Record

The Transportation Security Administration revealed Monday that a record-setting 3,957 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at security checkpoints in 2017.

The new record beats the 3,391 guns found in 2016 by 16.7 percent.

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Of the almost 4,000 firearms discovered last year, 84 percent were loaded and another 34.8 percent had a round in the chamber. The guns were confiscated at a total of 239 airports and an average of 10.8 firearms were found by TSA agents per day.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported the most guns recovered last year, with a total of 245. Dallas/Fort Worth International was second with 211, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport was third with 142, Denver International was fourth with 118 and Phoenix Sky Harbor International rounded out the top five with 115.

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TSA officials are asking travelers to do their best to avoid holding up security lines and possibly causing flight delays due to firearms and other banned weapons accidentally being discovered in bags. The government agency reminds people to double check their luggage, jackets or other items in order to avoid taking a prohibited item to an airport checkpoint.

Officials from TSA revealed it can impose civil penalties of up to $13,066 per violation per person for prohibited items and violations of other regulations. In order to avoid the massive fines and arrests, the TSA website provides a list of prohibited items.