TSA sets records in 2023 for firearms seizures nationally

It’s not that you cannot travel with a firearm, it’s that you can’t have it in your carry-on.

That’s a mistake that about 6,700 people across the nation made last year and they were stopped at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

The 6,737 firearms seized nationally in 2023 was a record, up from 6,542 in 2022.

Of the guns caught in 2023, approximately 93% were loaded. Firearms were caught at 265 airport checkpoints nationwide, the TSA said.

Topping the list is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with 451 firearms seized in 2023. It’s more than a daily occurrence there on average. The 10th highest is Dallas Love Field with 125 seizures.

The TSA has been tracking firearms seizures since 2008 when 926 were confiscated. The trend line has been steadily up, except for 2020. In that year just 3,257 were seized, down from 4,432 in 2019.

However, in 2021, gun owners more than made up for the down year, with 5,972 guns were confiscated.

The TSA’s standard press release boilerplate:

Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. However, travelers with proper firearm permits can travel legally with their firearms in their checked bags if they follow a few simple guidelines.

TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure that they have the proper gun permits for the states that they are traveling to and from. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case.

Ammunition must be in its original box and can be packed inside the hard-side case, next to the firearm. Even if the box of ammunition is not full, the bullets must be in their original case. The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative. Firearms are transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to them during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site.

Individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $15,000. The complete list of penalties is posted online. In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked.

Travelers can use the “What Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.