TSA detects fewer firearms at Iowa airports in 2023

DES MOINES – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped seven handguns at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) security checkpoints in 2023, a decrease compared to the 15 detected in 2022.

Nationwide, TSA officers stopped a total 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 93% of these firearms were loaded. This total surpasses the previous year’s record of 6,542 firearms stopped at checkpoints, and represents the highest one-year total in TSA’s history.

Firearms at TSA checkpoints represent an unnecessary risk and an expensive mistake for passengers who do not follow proper packing guidance for firearms in checked baggage.

“Responsible gun owners know where their guns are and they know not to bring them to a checkpoint,” Iowa TSA Federal Security Director John Bright said. “We urge passengers to start with an empty bag so you know with certainty that there is nothing prohibited inside. Bringing a firearm to the checkpoint is a careless, dangerous mistake that passengers can easily avoid."

In 2023, TSA screened 858 million individuals, which indicates the agency intercepted 7.8 firearms per million passengers, a drop from 8.6 per million passengers in 2022. Stated another way, TSA detected one firearm for every 127,447 travelers screened.

Des Moines passengers brought firearms at rates below the national average.

At DSM, TSA screened nearly 1.7 million departing passengers and crew in 2023. TSA officers at DSM discovered firearms in carry-on luggage at a rate of 4.2 firearms per million passengers screened. This calculates to a rate of one firearm discovery for every 237,056 travelers screened.

Firearms caught by TSA at Iowa airport checkpoints, 2019 to 2023

When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSA officers immediately contact local law enforcement, who remove the passenger and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the passenger. TSA does not confiscate firearms.

In addition to law enforcement action, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to about $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.