The TSA has released it’s annual report showing a 7% increase in 2018 of firearms found in carry on bags being screened for flights. Just over 80% of the found firearms were loaded. If the TSA is finding this many firearms, it makes you wonder how many are actually making it on flights!
A total 813.8 million (813,791,287) passengers and crew members passed through TSA screening, with record-breaking screening numbers during the spring, Thanksgiving and summer travel periods.
- A record setting 4,239 total firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging 81.6 firearms per week. That’s an average of 11.6 firearms per day.
- 3,656 (86.15 percent) of the total firearms discovered were loaded – another record.
- 1,432 (33.74 percent) of the total firearms discovered had a round chambered.
- The most firearms discovered in one month – a record setting 32 – were discovered in August at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- Firearms were intercepted at 249 of the 440 federalized airports.
- That’s more than a 7 percent (282 more) increase in firearm discoveries from 2017’s total of 3,957.
Below are the top 10 airports that led in firearm discoveries in 2018:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 298 – an increase of 53 compared to 2017 (253 loaded)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 219 (193 loaded)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 129 (120 loaded)
- Denver International Airport (DEN): 126 (95 loaded)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): 123 (112 loaded)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 117 – a decrease of 25 firearms compared to 2017 (115 loaded)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 96 (80 loaded)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 93 (76 loaded)
- Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL): 89 (83 loaded)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA): 86 (80 loaded)
Firearms were not the only thing found! It’s interesting what people try to bring onboard aircraft! Fireworks, lighter fluid, grenades…..
Starting at the top left and moving clockwise:
- Three smoke grenades were discovered in a checked bag at Nashville International Airport on Nov. 19.
- An inert grenade was detected in a carry-on bag at McCarran International Airport on Nov. 27.
- A bottle of lighter fluid was discovered in a carry-on bag of a passenger traveling from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Dec. 12.
- Fireworks were discovered in the carry-on bag of a passenger traveling from Orlando International Airport on Dec. 13.
- Five replica mortar shells were discovered in the checked bag of an Orlando International Airport passenger on Dec. 1. We had to stop baggage screening operations until an explosives specialist could respond and declare the items safe.
Anything resembling an explosive item is prohibited in carry-on and checked bags. If you are not sure if an item is allowed in your bag, check out our What Can I Bring tool, snap a photo and Tweet or Facebook Message us, call us at (866) 289-9673 or shoot us an email (pun intended).
We previously reported on a very handy TSA app that can help you decide what is allowed on your flight, and it can provide you with security wait times.
If you would like to read the full report visit the TSA 2018 year in review blog here. Images for this post provided by TSA.