A new record of 6,737 firearms were found by the Transportation Security Administration at airport security checkpoints in 2023, according to the agency.
The record number found this year surpassed the previous year’s record of 6,542, which was the highest number found since the agency was created, the TSA shared.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske shared that even more “concerning” was the fact that nearly 93% of the weapons were loaded when found by TSA agents.
“We are still seeing far too many firearms at TSA checkpoints, and what’s particularly concerning is the amount of them loaded, presenting an unnecessary risk to everyone at the TSA checkpoint,” Pekoske said in a statement.
Three airports accounted for more than 1,100 of the firearm recoveries, according to the TSA.
TSA agents at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recovered 451 firearms in carry-ons last year, the most of any airport.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was second with 378 firearms found, and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport was third with 311.
The TSA is hoping to leave last year’s record where it’s at, reminding travelers that guns and ammunition are “strictly prohibited” in carry-on baggage.
“Passengers are only allowed to travel with an unloaded firearm, and only if they pack it properly in a locked, hard-sided case in their checked baggage and first declare it to the airline at the check-in counter,” Pekoske said.
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