Transportation security

2015: Another Record-Setting Year For TSA Firearms Seizures

This past year the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had another record-setting year of firearms confiscations, intercepting 2,653 firearms—seven a day— in carry-on bags at airport security checkpoints across the United States.

This represents a nearly 20 percent increase over the 2,212 firearms discovered in 2014. Over 80 percent of these firearms were loaded.

“The transport of firearms by commercial air in carry-on bags represents a threat to the safety and security of air travelers. Through increased training in detection methods, our officers are becoming more adept at intercepting these prohibited items,” said TSA Administrator Peter V. Neffenger. “I am proud of the men and women who serve in the TSA and grateful for their hard work in the past year.”