TSA sees ‘concerning’ rise in number of firearms at security checkpoints – and most are loaded

“I forgot.” That’s the number one reason TSA agents say they hear at airport security checkpoints when they catch a passenger with a firearm. Of the 5,832 firearms stopped so far this year, as of Monday, nearly 88% were loaded, according to the TSA. The total number is quickly catching up to last year’s record of 5,972 – or approximately 17 guns a day. The news comes ahead of the busiest travel time of the year – when nearly 55m Americans are estimated to be traveling this Thanksgiving, according to AAA – just shy of pre-pandemic levels. “It’s very concerning because firearms are prohibited in the checkpoint – and certainly onboard the aircraft,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “We’ve seen an increase nationally… [and in] parts of the country where open carry and concealed weapons permits are higher, [that] generally indicates we’ll find higher weapons at our checkpoints.” It’s legal to travel with a firearm – but only if it’s declared with the airline before the flight, unloaded and packed correctly inside checked luggage. According to the TSA, passengers caught with guns were fined $52m in civil penalties over the past three years. “I have total confidence in our transportation security officers to stop these,” said Steve Wood, the Federal Security Director for the TSA in Tennessee. “But we need the public’s help in not bringing them.” Atlanta tops the list because it’s such a large airport, Pekoske said. “There’s just more people moving through Atlanta airport.”<br/>