Security in the air: record number of weapons confiscated on US flights

Every year, law enforcement officers confiscate thousands of weapons at US airports. Last year, this figure approached 7,000 units.

Moreover, the leading airport in the United States in terms of the number of seized weapons among many federal air harbors is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. According to the News Yahoo, 451 of the 6,737 firearms found by the Transportation Security Administration in carry-on luggage at airport checkpoints were in Atlanta.

Statistics show that although the number of firearms seized per million passengers was lower in 2023, almost all of them were loaded. It is reported that among the thousands of weapons stopped at airport checkpoints, "approximately 93% of these firearms were loaded."

In total, weapons were found at 265 airports in the United States. In the last three months of 2023, law enforcement officers found 1665 firearms. Almost 93% of them were loaded.

"We are still seeing too many firearms at checkpoints, and what is particularly troubling is the number of them that are loaded, which creates an unnecessary risk for everyone," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

It is emphasized that firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage. Passengers are only allowed to travel with unloaded firearms, and only if they properly pack them in a locked, hard-walled case in their checked baggage and first declare them to the airline at the check-in counter.

It is reported that when a transport security officer intercepts a firearm during baggage screening, they contact local law enforcement. The passenger is then removed from the flight and the firearm is confiscated. The officers then either arrest the passenger or discipline him or her. In addition, passengers who bring weapons to checkpoints may be subject to fines of up to $15,000.

Top US airports by number of firearms seized:

• Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) - 451;
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - 378;

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - 311;
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 235;
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) - 188;
• Denver International Airport (DEN) - 178;
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) - 164;
• Tampa International Airport (TPA) - 144;
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) - 135;
• Dallas Love Field (DAL) - 125.