Airline passengers have brought a record number of guns in carry-on luggage to airports in Florida and across the country this year.
According to a December 16 press release from the Transportation Security Administration, 6,301 firearms were intercepted at US airports this year, and more than 88% of them were loaded.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said a new record was set at Orlando International Airport where 154 passengers brought weapons through security checkpoints.
(Fox 35)
According to TSA agents at Orlando International Airport, 154 passengers brought weapons through security checkpoints, setting a new record for Florida.
Weapons such as Tasers, knives and guns are just some of the items that have been discovered inside passengers’ luggage.
Small knives hidden inside a credit card are also prohibited. The TSA said those are most commonly found in passengers’ wallets or carry-on luggage.
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Other items, like sports equipment, may seem harmless, but can be dangerous in the wrong hands.
The TSA said they collect more than 2,000 pounds each month worth of weapons and items like hockey sticks, pool cues and baseball bats. All of that is allowed, but only if it’s in your checked baggage.
All firearms must be properly packaged and declared to the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked hard case.
(Fox 35)
Although firearms possession laws vary by state and local government, weapons are never allowed in carry-on luggage at any TSA security checkpoint, even if the passenger has a concealed weapons permit.
The fine for bringing weapons into the checkpoint has been raised up to $15,000, depending on whether the weapon was loaded or the person was a repeat offender.
“We prefer that the passenger decide to go ahead and check their bag,” the TSA told Fox 35. “We don’t want them to leave it behind and lose the item.”
The TSA also noted that any firearm in a checked bag must be properly packed and declared to the airline at check-in, meaning it is unloaded and in a locked hard case.
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Depending on the airline, that could cost an additional $25 to $50 per checked bag.
