PHILADELPHIA — Transportation Security Administration officers, with the help of some travelers, have set a new record at Philadelphia International Airport — for the most guns confiscated in a single calendar year.
On Tuesday, TSA agents found gun No. 45 in the backpack of a Newark, Delaware, man at a security checkpoint. An X-ray unit detected the gun in the bag, and agents found it on closer inspection.
It surpasses the previous record of 44 guns confiscated in a single year, which was set in 2022. And with more than two weeks to go until the end of the year, TSA agents might yet find more guns.
The TSA is on track to set a national record, as well. Security officers at U.S. airports found 6,542 guns last year. So far this year, they have caught more than 6,000.
“Let’s be clear. This is not the type of record that we are celebrating,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “We would much rather see fewer travelers bringing their guns to our checkpoints. Our officers are good at their jobs, good at detecting firearms and other prohibited items. Travelers need to ensure that they have no illegal or prohibited items with them before they arrive at the airport.”
Police confiscated the .357 handgun, which was unloaded, and they cited the man on a weapons charge.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint will incur a federal civil penalty, whether or not the gun owner has a concealed gun carry permit.
“This individual told us that he forgot that he had his gun with him. That’s careless, inexcusable and irresponsible,” said Spero.
On Tuesday, police confiscated the man’s firearm, which was unloaded, and they cited him on a weapons charge. He also faces a fine as high as $15,000.
Firearms caught at TSA checkpoints at PHL, 2017 to 2023 (as of Dec. 12):
—2017: 35
—2018: 25
—2019: 20
—2020: 26
—2021: 39
—2022: 44
—2023: 45
Gun owners who are likely to forget where their gun is located, or who are confused about how to responsibly travel with a firearm, will find details on the TSA website.
Gun laws vary from state to state and from city to city, so passengers will have to do their own research to make sure they do not break any laws, including potentially calling the airline they are traveling with.