The Transportation Security Administration said in a press release on August 20 that, “Officers [at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport] discovered a loaded .40 caliber Glock pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition, in the carry-on bag of a male passenger. On the same day, TSA officers discovered a second loaded gun, a 9 mm SIG Sauer with eight rounds in the bag of male passenger.” So far this year, Phoenix agents have confiscated 62 other weapons from carry-on bags, while nationwide, TSA agents have discovered over 1,700 firearms, 84 percent of which were loaded. The TSA posts daily figures for the number of weapons it seizes.
TSA Still Finds Plenty of Loaded Weapons
Key Takeaways:
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is finding firearms in carry-on bags at three times the pre-pandemic rate, despite reduced air traffic, with 84% of over 1,700 nationwide discoveries being loaded weapons.
- Recent incidents at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport included two loaded pistols found in separate carry-on bags on the same day, adding to 62 other weapons confiscated there this year.
- Passengers caught with firearms in carry-on bags face stiff fines and revocation of their Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck services.
- Firearms are only permitted on commercial aircraft if unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, and placed in checked baggage; ammunition and firearm parts are also prohibited in carry-ons.
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