The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported this week that it intercepted 6,737 firearms people attempted to take through airport security checkpoints and onto aircraft in 2023.
It is the highest total on record, topping 2022’s record 6,542 firearms, which was itself unprecedented. While TSA does not confiscate the firearms, even if loaded, law enforcement is called to the scene of such incidents, the passenger removed, and depending on local laws, either arrested or cited. For TSA’s part, the agency charges a civil penalty of up to approximately $15,000 on offenders and revokes TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years. Enhanced screening efforts may follow.
“We are still seeing far too many firearms at TSA checkpoints, and what’s particularly concerning is the amount of them loaded, presenting an unnecessary risk to everyone at the TSA checkpoint,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on baggage. Passengers are only allowed to travel with an unloaded firearm, and only if they pack it properly in a locked, hard-sided case in their checked baggage and first declare it to the airline at the check-in counter.”
About 93 percent of the firearms blocked last year were loaded.
In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, transportation security officers stopped 1,665 firearms at checkpoints – an average of 18 firearms per day.