Security says weapons in airports are at a record high

Last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 6,542 guns at U.S. airport checkpoints. Security officers say the record doesn’t necessarily indicate heightened terrorist attempts but reflects the fact that more Americans are carrying firearms. Officers have seized more weapons yearly since 2010—except for 2020, when the pandemic disrupted air travel. 

Why is the TSA worried? Almost 90 percent of last year’s intercepted guns were loaded. The TSA has said firearms in checkpoints cause unnecessary risk and delay to everyone at the checkpoint. Those who possess a firearm at a TSA checkpoint will lose their eligibility for TSA PreCheck and may face a fine of nearly $15,000, gun confiscation, or even arrest—not to mention a missed flight. To legally fly with a firearm, the TSA advises travelers to follow state and local laws. The TSA also requires that the gun be unloaded, locked in a container, declared ahead of time, and transported in checked baggage only.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report about the TSA expanding facial recognition in airports.