American passengers have added a new meaning to the term ‘packing” for that journey, according to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) who intercepted 5,028 firearms at airport security checkpoints in the first nine months of 2024, averaging 18.3 firearms detected daily, with over 93pc of them loaded.
Despite 678 m passengers screened, the rate of firearms discovered decreased to 7.5 per m passengers from 8.1 in the same quarter of 2023, indicating some progress in managing this issue.
TSA regulations allow passengers to travel with firearms, provided they are unloaded, stored in a locked, hard-sided case, placed in checked luggage, and declared at the airline ticket counter; however, firearms are strictly prohibited in secure areas and aircraft cabins.
When firearms are brought to security checkpoints, TSA does not confiscate them but instead contacts local law enforcement to take possession, potentially leading to arrests, citations, or civil penalties of up to $15,000 for the passenger.
