The Transportation Security Administration has logged a record number of firearms found at airport security checkpoints across the country in 2022.
A TSA press release indicates that, as of December 16, the agency has prevented 6,301 firearms from passing security checkpoints this year, adding that more than 88% of them were loaded.
In 2021, 5,972 firearms were detected at security checks, according to the agency, which says it will prevent around 6,600 firearms in carry-on luggage from passing security checks by the end of 2022.
The TSA is also increasing the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950, which is determined on a case-by-case basis “according to the circumstances of each case.”
TSA SPENDS $18.6 MILLION ON ‘NON-BINARY DETECTION SYSTEM’ PLANNED TO LAUNCH IN JANUARY
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent’s patch is seen helping travelers place their bags through the 3-D scanner at Miami International Airport on May 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“I applaud the work of our Transportation Security Officers who do an excellent job of preventing firearms from entering the secure area of the airport and aboard aircraft,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms are prohibited in carry-on baggage at the checkpoint and on board the aircraft. When a passenger carries a firearm in their carry-on baggage, this consumes significant security resources and represents a potential threat to transportation security, as well as being very costly for the passenger.”
DELTA FLIGHT ATTENDANT TELLS WHEELCHAIR PASSENGER TSA WILL TAKE HIM OFF THE PLANE ‘WITH THEIR GUNS’
TSA officer at the security checkpoint.
(Reuters)
Following reduced travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of firearms prevented from going through security checks has seen a sharp increase. In 2019, the number of firearms detained was 4,432.
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In one case, on September 29, a man was detained at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Alexandria, Virginia, after attempting to carry a 9mm pistol loaded with 14 bullets through security.
(TSA)
In one case, on September 29, a man was detained at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, DC after attempting to carry a 9mm pistol loaded with 14 bullets through the security checkpoint.
Fox News’ Leah Crawley contributed to this report.
