The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reportedly seized more than 1,500 guns at airports in 2024 so far amounting to an average of more than 16 weapons per day.
According to further reports, more than 90% of the guns found in carry-on bags were loaded.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said that the amount of weapons found in the first quarter of 2024 is less than what was seized in the first quarter of 2023. “While it is certainly promising that the rate of passengers bringing firearms to the checkpoint has decreased, one firearm at the checkpoint is too many.”
He added: “The demand for air travel is as strong as ever and security is always our number one priority.”
So far in 2024, the TSA has screened more than 206 million passengers, up nearly 8% from the 191 million passengers screened last year.
Last year TSA officers seized almost 7,000 firearms from passengers luggage.
