TSA officers are doing an outstanding job protecting the flying public. In 2014 alone, TSOs discovered a record 2,212 firearms in carry-on bags at airports across the country; a whopping 22% increase from 2013. Of the guns confiscated by officers, more than 80% were loaded.
Also discovered were 1,400 stun guns, knives, razors, firearm components and other dangerous objects. Despite the record number of firearms discovered by TSOs last year, nearly 99% of airline passengers waited just 20 minutes or less in airport security lines.
“The hike in loaded firearm and dangerous object discoveries in passenger bags shows just how necessary these public servants are,” AFGE National President J. David Cox, Sr. said. “TSA officers are doing a fantastic job at keeping the flying public safe, and they deserve to be recognized for it.”
The top five airports for firearm findings were Dallas/Fort Worth International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Denver International Airport.
The number one reason given by passengers was that they had forgotten they had the loaded firearms in their belongings. Travelers with licensed guns are only allowed to pack their unloaded firearms into their checked bags. Though the overwhelming majority of seizures are innocent mistakes, it takes only one bad actor slipping through the cracks to cause a great deal of harm. Thanks to all of our dedicated TSOs for keeping our skies safe.