It’s not just passenger volume that’s returning from the depth of the pandemic, it’s also guns, mostly loaded, seized by TSA at airport screening checkpoints.
As of December 16, TSA had already collected over 6,300 firearms from passenger carry-ons, and 89% of them were loaded. That’s up from 5,972 total last year and 4,432 in 2019.
2020 is the only year since records began in 2010 when the number didn’t show a rise. Given the huge drop in passengers that year, it’s possible that the percentage of armed travelers rose that year despite fewer guns.
Under Federal rules, firearms can only be carried in checked bags, and only with proper documentation. Penalties for violation include fines of up to nearly $15,000 with the level determined by circumstances, a five-year loss of any PreCheck privileges, and a greater likelihood of enhanced screening. In some states, it can also lead to arrest at the airport.
