One of the 115 firearms discovered by TSA officers at SLC in 2021.
SALT LAKE CITY - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) discovered 115 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in 2021, easily surpassing prior years’ totals for firearm finds at SLC. Every one of these firearms was discovered during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on property. Nationwide last year, TSA officers found 5,972 firearms at 268 different airports.
Below is a summary of TSA firearm discoveries locally and nationally for the past four years:
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
SLC totals: |
73 |
85 |
71 |
115 |
|
National totals: |
4,239 |
4,432 |
3,257 |
5,972 |
SLC ranked 10th nationally for the number of firearm discoveries by TSA officers in 2021. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport topped the list with 507 firearm finds, the most ever recorded at any airport since the inception of TSA. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport came in second with 317 followed by Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 245; Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 196; and Nashville International Airport with 163 rounded out the Top Five.
“A record number of firearm discoveries at SLC and at airports nationwide continues to stun and disappoint,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Utah Matt Davis. “Despite an increase in the number of firearms that were brought by travelers to the security checkpoint at SLC, TSA employees here and across the country have not lost their focus. In fact, we are even more committed to our security mission and will remain vigilant to ensure that any type of security threat does not make it into the sterile area of the airport or onto an aircraft to ensure the security of the traveling public.”
In 2021, TSA screened approximately 585 million passengers and crew at airports nationwide. That figure represents a 44% increase over the 339 million screened in 2020.
At SLC, TSA screened approximately 7.3 million passengers and crew in 2021, making it the 24th busiest airport for TSA security checkpoint screening operations. By comparison, TSA screened 4.4 million at SLC in 2020. The 2021 figure represents at 64% increase over 2020 passenger volumes.
In addition to potential criminal citations for bringing a firearm in carry-on luggage, travelers face civil penalties. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is also available.
TSA reminds passengers to be aware of the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage or not at all.
Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST.
Earlier today, TSA released a summary of its top 21 accomplishments in 2021, highlighting vigilance, agility and innovation.