Nationwide, the TSA has seen a noticeable rise in the number of passengers attempting to bring firearms into aircraft cabins, with the U.S. on pace to eclipse the pre-pandemic volume of firearms seized at airport checkpoints. Barely past the halfway mark of this year, the TSA has already discovered 2,400 guns, compared to the 4,432 firearms seized in all 12 months of 2019.
Last year, the gun seizure rate doubled at U.S. airports at the same time that passenger volume was down significantly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the 3,257 firearms seized in 2020, 83% were loaded.
The pattern is similar across the country, both at big airports and smaller, regional ones. At Portland International Airport (PDX), this year’s tally of firearms discovered in travelers’ carry-on luggage is 29 and counting. Twenty-four guns were loaded.
Recently at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), in Southern California, the TSA discovered the seventh firearm of the year in the carry-on bag of a passenger ticketed for Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS). Local police responded and confiscated the weapon, which contained five rounds of ammunition.
“Not only was this an expensive mistake for the traveler, but his actions slowed down the security screening process for other travelers who were in the security checkpoint around the same time,” says TSA Federal Security Director Anita Minaei, who oversees operations at Hollywood Burbank Airport.
It is illegal to bring guns, ammunition or gun parts through airport security checkpoints. Anytime a TSA officer spots the image of a handgun on the x-ray machine, all screening stops while local law enforcement is notified. A law enforcement officer then takes control of the firearm and removes the traveler and the weapon from the checkpoint.
“If you bring a gun, loaded or not, you will face a stiff federal financial penalty in addition to any possible law enforcement criminal charges,” says Johnson. “Even if you have a permit to carry a gun, it cannot be brought into the cabin of a plane.”
That was demonstrated recently, when TSA officers prevented a loaded handgun from making its way onboard an airplane at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). The traveler had a concealed-carry permit and said he forgot his pistol was in his bag, which is the most common excuse provided by those caught with guns at airport checkpoints.
In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties of up to $13,910 for being caught with a firearm at an airport security checkpoint. The typical fine for a first offender is $4,100. Additionally, offenders who are members of TSA PreCheck will automatically lose those privileges.
