TSA firearm discoveries at LA-area airports down slightly in 2022

LOS ANGELES - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at the five Los Angeles-area airports detected 142 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in 2022. Every one of these firearms was discovered during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints. Nationwide last year, TSA officers found 6,542 firearms at 262 different airports.

While TSA continues to set new records annually at the national level for the number of firearms discovered in carry-on bags, only two of the five local airports set an annual record. Below is a summary of TSA firearm discoveries at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB) and nationally for the past five years:

* No firearms were discovered at San Bernardino International Airport, which started commercial air service in August 2022.

While the cumulative number of firearms brought by travelers to the security checkpoints at Los Angeles-area airports is down slightly from last year, the fact remains that one gun discovered in carry-on luggage is one gun too many,” said TSA Federal Security Director in Los Angeles Jason Pantages. “TSA will continue to message to firearm owners the proper way to travel with a gun on a commercial aircraft. This is for their safety, the safety of TSA employees who conduct screening of carry-on luggage in the security checkpoint and the traveling public.”

“We are grateful to the TSA workforce locally and nationally who remains vigilant and continues to prevent potential security threats from making it onboard aircraft,” said TSA Federal Security Director in Burbank Anita Minaei. “Firearms, whether loaded or unloaded, should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage. Doing so will cost you time, money and ultimately be very inconvenient for you.”

The five U.S. airports with the most TSA firearm discoveries are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which topped the list with 448 firearm finds. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport came in second with  385 followed by Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 298; Nashville International Airport with 213 and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 196. Orlando International Airport; Denver International Airport; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tampa International Airport round out the Top 10.

In 2022, TSA screened approximately 761 million passengers and crew at airports nationwide. TSA officers across the country discovered firearms in carry-on luggage at a rate of 8.6 firearms per million passengers screened. Stated another way, TSA detected one firearm for every 116,394 travelers screened.

Below is a table summarizing the number of travelers screened for every firearm discovery at Los Angeles-area security checkpoints last year.

When a TSA officers sees the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, TSA immediately notifies the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler. What happens to the firearm and the traveler is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency.

In addition to potential criminal citations for bringing a firearm in carry-on luggage, TSA can levy a civil penalty again the traveler. 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 also 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 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST.