In its review of 2018, the TSA reports that it found an average of nearly 12 firearms every day in security checks -- 4,239 in all.
“Throughout the year, TSA officers demonstrated great professionalism, dedication, integrity and remained committed to the mission to secure you – the traveling public. Thanks to their vigilance and skills, TSA officers intercepted a record number of firearms in 2018,” the agency wrote.
Most of the firearms were discovered in carry-ons at checkpoints across the U.S. -- 86 percent of those loaded with ammunition, and 33 percent with a round of ammo already chambered.
Airports on alert
It’s not exactly a championship ring that airport employees would be proud to wear, but TSA agents at Atlanta-Hartsfield -- the world’s busiest airport -- discovered 298 firearms in 2018, more than any other U.S. hub and up 53 from 2017.
The Top 10 airports seizing the most firearms are as follows:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 298 – an increase of 53 compared to 2017 (253 loaded);
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 219 (193 loaded);
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 129 (120 loaded);
Denver International Airport (DEN): 126 (95 loaded);
Orlando International Airport (MCO): 123 (112 loaded);
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 117 – a decrease of 25 firearms compared to 2017 (115 loaded);
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 96 (80 loaded);
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 93 (76 loaded);
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL): 89 (83 loaded);
Nashville International Airport (BNA): 86 (80 loaded).
Along with firearms, the TSA hauled in a bevy of other prohibited items, including smoke grenades, lighter fluid, fireworks, knife combs, scissors (longer than 4 inches), miniature Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and mortar shell replicas.
Fake or not, those mortar shells brought baggage screening to a screaming halt until an explosives specialist could examine the shells and give the all-clear.
“Anything resembling an explosive item is prohibited in carry-on and checked bags,” the TSA’s Jay Wagner reminds travelers. “If you are not sure if an item is allowed in your bag, check out our What Can I Bring tool, snap a photo and Tweet or Facebook Message us, call us at (866) 289-9673, or shoot us an email (pun intended).”
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