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Home»Airport Safety & Security»The Number of Guns Detected at TSA Checkpoints in NYC Region’s Airports Increased In 2021
Airport Safety & Security

The Number of Guns Detected at TSA Checkpoints in NYC Region’s Airports Increased In 2021

Metropolitan Airport NewsBy Metropolitan Airport NewsJanuary 18, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
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This loaded handgun was detected by TSA officers at LaGuardia Airport in May 2021.
This loaded handgun was detected by TSA officers at LaGuardia Airport in May 2021.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 26 handguns at New York City area airport checkpoints in 2021, an increase from the 17 guns caught in 2020. Each of the firearms was discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.

Nationwide, TSA officers detected 5,972 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2021. It was a significant increase from the 3,257 detected last year and a spike from the 4,432 detected in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The rate of guns caught at checkpoints nationwide came to 10.2 firearms per million passengers in 2021. Of the guns caught in 2021, approximately 86 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 268 airport checkpoints nationwide.

TSA Firearms Catches at New York City Area Airport Checkpoints, 2017 to 2021

20172018201920202021
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)6 14 111112
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)62829
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)62734
New York Stewart International Airport (SWF)00011
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)12100
Total1920271726

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 2021

RankAirport (Code)Total
1Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)507
2Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)317
3Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 245
4Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) 196
5Nashville International Airport (BNA)163
6Denver International Airport (DEN)141
7Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)128
8Orlando International Airport (MCO)124
9Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)119
10Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) 115

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.

TSA officers detected this handgun at one of the security checkpoints at Newark Liberty International Airport in March 2021.
TSA officers detected this handgun at one of the security checkpoints at Newark Liberty International Airport in March 2021. (TSA photo)

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. 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. Then the case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter and the airline representative informed that the passenger wants to travel with the gun. Firearms are transported inside checked baggage and are placed 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 $13,900. 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 for a period of time.     

National Statistics: Firearms Caught by TSA at Checkpoints, 2008 to 2021

YearNationwide
20215,972
20203,257
20194,432
20184,239
20173,957
20163,391
20152,653
20142,212
20131,813
20121,556
20111,320
20101,123
2009976
2008926

Travelers can use the “What Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet or message “@AskTSA” 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.

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