NEWS
TSA Intercepted 1,503 Firearms At Airports In The First Quarter Of 2024
U.S. Transportation Security Administration
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration intercepted more than 1,500 firearms at airport security checkpoints in the first quarter of 2024, the agency announced Thursday.
The TSA said 1,503 firearms were intercepted at airports across the country in the first quarter, which ended on March 31, comparable to the 1,508 intercepted in the first quarter of 2023.
There were more passengers this year, however, resulting in a drop in the rate of firearms intercepted. The TSA screened more than 206 million passengers in the first quarter of 2024, compared to more than 191 million passengers during the same period last year, an increase of 7.8%.
The rate of firearms intercepted in the first quarter of 2024 was 7.3 per one million passengers, compared to 7.9 firearms per one million passengers during the same period last year.
During both periods, more than 93% of firearms were loaded, the agency said.
“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 in a statement. “The demand for air travel is as strong as ever and security is always our number one priority. Every time we discover a firearm at the checkpoint, the security screening process is slowed down for all.
The TSA intercepted a record 6,737 guns in 2023, beating the previous year’s record of 6,542 guns.
Air passengers are permitted to travel with a firearm, provided it is packed unloaded in a hard-sided case in checked luggage and declared at the ticket counter when checked.
Traveling with a firearm is allowed and it must be packed properly as checked baggage and declared to the airline at the ticket counter, Pekoske said. We always recommend passengers start with a clean bag when they pack to ensure no firearms, weapons or other prohibited items are present.”
TMX contributed to this article.
