Aviation News International – On January 10, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) revealed the number of firearms it confiscated in 2023. Throughout the entire year, the TSA discovered and confiscated a total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints. This was a slight increase from last year’s total of 6,542 firearms. It also represents the highest number of confiscated firearms in the history of the TSA.
Findings in 2023
Throughout 2023, the TSA screened over 858 million individuals through security checkpoints. The nearly 7,000 confiscated firearms indicate the agency intercepted approximately 7.8 firearms per million passengers. This was a slight decrease from 2022 when the agency recorded 8.6 confiscated firearms per million passengers. Of the 6,737 confiscated firearms in 2023, approximately 93% of them were loaded with ammunition.
In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, which ranges from October through December, the TSA found 1,665 firearms at security checkpoints. This is almost 18 firearms per day throughout the United States during the fourth quarter. During the fourth quarter, 93% of the firearms were loaded.
The TSA Administrator, David Pekoske, spoke about the security measures that TSA has in place. Pekoske stated,
If a TSA agent discovers a firearm at a security checkpoint, the local police station is contacted immediately. The police officers remove the passenger and their associated firearm from the security area. TSA officers do not handle the discovered weapons. The local law enforcement can then issue a citation to the passenger or even arrest them, depending on the state laws where the airport is located. TSA also fines passengers with discovered firearms up to $15,000, confiscates their TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years, and may conduct additional screenings.
General rules for firearm travel
Firearms can be transported on air travel, although specific rules must be followed. Per the TSA, firearms can only be stowed in a locked, hard-sided container. The container must be completely inaccessible, and only the passenger should retain the key or lock combo. The firearm must be unloaded and transported via checked baggage only, and can not be brought in carry-on luggage.
Passengers must also declare that the container has a firearm in it when checking the bag at the airport’s local ticket counter. Firearm accessories, including magazines, bolts, or firing pins, must be transported via checked baggage, not carry-on luggage. However, rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on luggage or checked baggage.
Additionally, the TSA recommends checking with local state laws when transporting firearms. If passengers are traveling internationally, it is extra important to check with US Customs and Border Protection for any additional requirements or restrictions.
Source: https://simpleflying.com/tsa-intercepts-nearly-7000-airports-2023/
