The answer should be zero.
After all, it is against federal law to bring a loaded or unloaded firearm to and through an airport checkpoint.
But in 2024, Transportation Security Administration officers discovered 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints around the country. Most — 94% — of the firearms found were loaded and were discovered in passengers’ carry-on luggage, in personal belongings, on passengers and even hidden inside some baby strollers.
While the number is alarming, it’s not like everyone showed up at airports with guns last year. The agency screened more than 904 million passengers in 2024, so the total number of firearms found comes out to about 18.2 firearms “found” each day of the year and 7.4 firearms per million passengers screened.
The total number of firearms found at airport checkpoints has risen steadily since at least 2008, with a big decline in 2020 reflecting limited travel during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the 2024 total of 6,678 firearms represents a minor decrease from the 6,737 firearms the TSA found in 2023.
The TSA’s “Prepare, Pack, Declare” public awareness campaign explaining the steps for safely traveling with a firearm may be doing some good. The agency’s sometimes cheeky social media posts that show off the myriad firearms “caught” at airports might have also helped.
While the number of firearms that officers “found” in 2024 doesn’t break records, it’s still a dangerous tally. As former TSA Administrator David Pekoske put it, “One firearm at a checkpoint is too many.” It creates a safety risk for passengers and employees and slows down operations.
And keep in mind that it’s not only “real” firearms that muck up the work at airport checkpoints. The “don’t bring” list includes toy guns, BB guns, cap guns, compressed air guns, firearm silencers or suppressors, flares and flare guns, gunpowder, ammunition, holsters, gun lighters and anything else that looks like a firearm or part of a firearm.
Which airports topped the list for most firearms found?
In 2024, the TSA discovered firearms at 277 airport checkpoints, with the most firearms — 440 — found at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The other airports on the top 10 list for firearms discoveries include:
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- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 390
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 272
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 247
- Nashville International Airport (BNA): 188
- Denver International Airport (DEN): 166
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): 150
- Dallas Love Field (DAL): 143
- Tampa International Airport (TPA): 135
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 126
How is it going, firearm-wise, in 2025? According to a TSA spokesperson, TSA officers have found 300 firearms at airport checkpoints nationwide as of Jan. 20.
What happens when the TSA discovers a firearm at an airport checkpoint?
If TSA officers detect or even suspect that there’s a firearm in a piece of carry-on luggage or on a person at an airport checkpoint, they’ll stop the line, close the lane and call in local law enforcement officers. These officers will open the bag and look for the firearm or firearm component, the TSA says.
If they find a firearm, the TSA will call in local law enforcement officers. Depending on local laws, the person who brought the firearm to the airport may be arrested or cited. In some cases, travelers may simply put their firearm in their checked luggage or hand it off to a friend or family member who is not traveling before continuing on their way.
The TSA leaves confiscating firearms up to local law enforcement but warns that in addition to any action taken, the agency has the authority to levy a maximum civil penalty of $14,950 per firearm and to revoke a person’s TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years.
Still want to take your firearm with you when you fly?
You may, but you’ll need to follow the rules and put your firearm and any ammunition in your checked luggage. You will need to unload your firearm, pack it in a hard-sided container with a lock and declare it to the airline when you check your bag.
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