Via press release from the TSA:
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 1,503 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2024, which ended March 31.
This total represents an average of 16.5 firearms per day detected at TSA checkpoints, comparable to firearm detections during the same time period in 2023, when TSA officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints, an average of 16.8 firearm catches per day. During both time periods, more than 93% of firearms were loaded.
Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport and in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. TSA encourages airline passengers to #PreparePackDeclare.
TSA does not confiscate or seize firearms. If a passenger brings a firearm to the security checkpoint on their person or in their carry-on luggage, the officer will contact local law enforcement to safely unload and take possession of the firearm.
Law enforcement may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law. TSA may impose a civil penalty up to almost $15,000, and for the first offense, passengers who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck® eligibility for five years.
Second offenses will result in permanent disqualification from the program and additional civil penalties.
Read the full summary.
NEWS: TSA intercepted more than 1,500 firearms at airport checkpoints nationwide during the first quarter of 2024. Learn more at: https://t.co/10ZKS7d4RU pic.twitter.com/i4cp3FQERa
— TSA (@TSA) April 11, 2024