This loaded handgun was detected by a TSA officer at a Philadelphia International Airport security checkpoint on Oct. 28. It was the first of two guns caught on that day. (TSA photo)
PHILADELPHIA - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers continued to detect guns at Pennsylvania airport security checkpoints last year. TSA officers stopped 103 handguns at Pennsylvania airport security checkpoints in 2023, a notable spike from the 82 guns detected in 2022.
Records were set for the most guns caught in a single year in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Philadelphia International Airport seeing 45 guns caught at the airport checkpoints (previous record was 44 set last year); and Pittsburgh International Airport with 43 guns detected at the airport checkpoints (previous record was 35 set in 2019).
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2023. It was a significant increase from the 6,542 detected in 2022. Of the guns caught in 2023, approximately 93 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 265 airport checkpoints nationwide.
TSA firearms caught at TSA checkpoints in airports in Pennsylvania, 2017 to 2022
|
Airport |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) |
35 |
25 |
20 |
26 |
39 |
44 |
45 |
|
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) |
32 |
34 |
35 |
21 |
32 |
26 |
44 |
|
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) |
6 |
6 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
8 |
|
Erie International Airport (ERI) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE) |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) |
4 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
|
University Park Airport (UNV) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
80 |
75 |
71 |
57 |
89 |
82 |
103 |
Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. However, travelers with proper firearm permits can travel legally with their firearms in their checked bags if they follow a few simple guidelines.
|
Top 10 airports with guns caught by TSA at checkpoints in 2023 |
||
|
Rank |
Airport (Code) |
Total |
|
1 |
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
451 |
|
2 |
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) |
378 |
|
3 |
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) |
311 |
|
4 |
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) |
235 |
|
5 |
Nashville International Airport (BNA) |
188 |
|
6 |
Denver International Airport (DEN) |
178 |
|
7 |
Orlando International Airport (MCO) |
164 |
|
8 |
Tampa International Airport .ong as deemed necessary. We with andl tment of Homeland Security as well as t the country in they. pose a threat to our avi (TPA) |
144 |
|
9 |
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) |
135 |
|
10 |
Dallas Love Field (DAL) |
125 |
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure that they have the proper gun permits for the states that they are traveling to and from. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case. Ammunition must be in its original box and can be packed inside the hard-side case, next to the firearm. Even if the box of ammunition is not full, the bullets must be in their original case. The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative. Firearms are transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to them during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site.
Individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $15,000. The complete list of penalties is posted online. In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked.
National statistics: Firearms caught by TSA at checkpoints, 2008 to 2023
|
Year |
Nationwide |
|
2023 |
6,737 |
|
2022 |
6,542 |
|
2021 |
5,972 |
|
2020 |
3,257 |
|
2019 |
4,432 |
|
2018 |
4,239 |
|
2017 |
3,957 |
|
2016 |
3,391 |
|
2015 |
2,653 |
|
2014 |
2,212 |
|
2013 |
1,813 |
|
2012 |
1,556 |
|
2011 |
1,320 |
|
2010 |
1,123 |
|
2009 |
976 |
|
2008 |
926 |
Travelers can use the “What Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) 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.