TSA officers tie record for most guns caught in a single year at Philadelphia International Airport

PHILADELPHIA – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Philadelphia International Airport prevented a Philadelphia man from boarding a flight with a loaded gun on Friday, Dec. 1, which tied the record for the most guns caught in a single year at the airport. The man was stopped with a .40 caliber handgun loaded with six bullets, including one in the chamber. It was the third gun caught in a five-day span.

The detection of the gun on Friday was the 44th gun that TSA officers have prevented from passing through the checkpoint so far this year, which ties the record that was set in 2022.

The gun was caught as the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on his carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection. The firearm was confiscated by the police, who cited the man on a weapons charge. In addition to being cited by police, the man also faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

“There is no excuse for bringing a gun to the checkpoint,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Three guns within a five-day span now ties the record for the most guns our officers have stopped in a single year at 44. Keep in mind that we still have a month to go in 2023. This is not the type of record we seek to set. We would much rather see fewer travelers bringing their guns to our checkpoints. Responsible gun owners know that they cannot carry a gun onto their flight and they know how to properly pack their gun in a checked bag. Unfortunately, what we are seeing is too many irresponsible gun owners. It’s easy to properly pack a firearm for a flight and of course it starts with ensuring that the gun is not loaded.”

Firearms caught at TSA checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport, 2017 to 2023

TSA has details on how to travel with a firearm and ammunition posted on its web site. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to individuals who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to individuals with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried through a checkpoint. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

Last year TSA officers detected 6,542 firearms at security checkpoints nationwide. So far this year, TSA officers have detected more than 6,200 guns at checkpoints across the country.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).