Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers across the State of Florida have seen a surge in passengers bringing guns to airport checkpoints, breaking records across the state and specifically at the international airports in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Miami, Pensacola, Fort Myers, and Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
TSA officers stopped guns on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the day after Christmas and throughout the year.
“The way to ruin a holiday weekend is to face arrest instead of heading to see family and friends,” said TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz. “This troubling and record-breaking trend is dangerous and threatens the safety of passengers and our officers.”
Across the state 658 passengers have brought guns to the checkpoints, the highest number ever.
With this busy holiday travel period extending until after New Year’s Day, the numbers will continue to rise unless every passenger pays more attention to where their guns are before leaving home and entering an airport. If you are traveling with your gun, it must be in checked baggage and you must check what the laws are on the other side of your trip.
Year to date, TSA officers have stopped 130 guns at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL); the previous record was 100 in 2019. At MIA it is now 80 year-to-date, with the previous record of 60 reached last year. TSA officers at Tampa International Airport (TPA) have intercepted 105 guns this year with the previous record of 97 in 2017. At Pensacola International Airport TSA officers have intercepted 36 guns compared to the highest previous number of 30 in 2019. At Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers the TSA has stopped 38 passengers with guns this year compared to the previous record of 28 in 2017. At Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport the TSA has stopped 12 guns compared to the highest number of 10 in 2018. The total at Orlando International (MCO) is now 120, approaching the previous record of 123 in 2018.
Passengers face a civil penalty from the TSA that can reach as much as $13,910 and that is imposed regardless of whether the individual is cited or physically arrested and transported to jail by our law enforcement partners. If the traveler is in the TSA PreCheck® program, those privileges will be lost for a period of time. And repeat offenders may lose their privileges permanently.
FLL, TPA and MCO are typically in the top 10 or 11 airports across the country for passengers violating the federal law.
The TSA offers serious tips for navigating the airport checkpoint. The first is to leave your gun at home or be sure to declare it to the airline upon check-in, have the gun unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case and check that bag!
Here are six tips for getting through the TSA checkpoint as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Tip 1: No guns in carry-ons ever. Airline passengers can fly with firearms only in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared at check-in. Contact your airline for additional guidance. And it is the passenger’s responsibility to know what the gun laws are on both sides of the trip.
Tip 2: Wear a face mask. You must. And over your mouth and nose. The federal face mask mandate for travelers remains in place for any location inside an airport or on a plane. Those who refuse to wear a mask face steep fines from the TSA. $1,000 for the first offense and $3,000 for a second offense.
Tip 3: Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own bag before leaving home. Unsure if it’s allowed: use the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov.
Tip 4: Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID card readily available. Follow the liquids, gels and aerosols rule of 3.4 ounces or less, with the exception of hand sanitizer, which has a temporary 12-ounce limit in carry-on baggage. One per passenger.
Tip 5: Help is available. Get live assistance by tweeting your questions and comments to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
Tip 6: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck®. Travel with Ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.