TSA - Transportation Security Administration
01/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 11:01
Number of guns detected at TSA checkpoints in New York City region’s airports decreased in 2024
Local Press Release
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
This loaded handgun was intercepted by TSA officers at a Newark Liberty International Airport security checkpoint on December 30, 2024. (TSA photo)
NEW YORK -- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 42 handguns at New York City area airport checkpoints in 2024, a notable decrease from the 51 guns caught in 2023, although a record number of guns were intercepted at Newark Liberty International Airport in 2024. Eachof the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2024. In 2023, 6,737 firearms were intercepted at airport checkpoints. It was the first annual decrease in firearms detected at checkpoints other than in 2020 when COVID saw a sizable decrease in the number of passengers who flew. Of the guns caught in 2024, approximately 94 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 277 airport checkpoints nationwide.
"The TSA team at Newark set a record for the most guns intercepted at our checkpoints in a single year," said Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey. "It is not a record that we seek to set. We would much rather see fewer people bring their guns to our checkpoints. With that said, I commend our officers and officers nationwide who have remained vigilant and focused on our mission throughout the year."
TSA firearms catches at New York City area airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2024
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
20 |
21 |
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
2 |
8 |
2 |
9 |
7 |
15 |
10 |
|
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) |
2 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
|
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Westchester County Airport (HPN) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
|
New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
20 |
27 |
17 |
26 |
39 |
51 |
42 |
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 firearmsin their checked bags if they follow a few simple guidelines.
"At JFK International we saw a decrease in the number of firearms that people brought to our checkpoints from 15 guns in 2023 to 10 in 2024," said John Essig, TSA's Federal Security Director for JFK International Airport. "We see that as a positive sign that more travelers who want to transport their firearms are doing so properly, which means that they are not bringing them to our checkpoints."
|
Top 10 airports with guns caught by TSA at checkpoints in 2024 |
||
| Rank |
Airport (Code) |
Total |
|
1 |
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
440 |
|
2 |
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) |
390 |
|
3 |
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) |
272 |
|
4 |
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) |
247 |
|
5 |
Nashville International Airport (BNA) |
188 |
|
6 |
Denver International Airport (DEN) |
166 |
|
7 |
Orlando International Airport (MCO) |
150 |
|
8 |
Tampa International Airport |
135 |
|
9 |
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) |
126 |
|
10 |
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) |
143 |
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.
A TSA officer at JFK International Airport intercepted this loaded handgun in a carry-on bag at a security checkpoint on August 1, 2024. (TSA photo) TSA officers at LaGuardia Airport intercepted this loaded firearm at one of the checkpoints on July 9, 2024. (TSA photo)"Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case," said Robert Duffy, TSA's Federal Security Director for LaGuardia Airport. "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. The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative."
Firearms are transported 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 $15,000. 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.
National statistics: Firearms caught by TSA at checkpoints, 2008 to 2024
|
Year |
Nationwide |
|
2024 |
6,678 |
|
2023 |
6,737 |
|
2022 |
6,542 |
|
2021 |
5,972 |
|
2020 |
3,257 |
|
2019 |
4,432 |
|
2018 |
4,239 |
|
2017 |
3,957 |
|
2016 |
3,391 |
|
2015 |
2,653 |
|
2014 |
2,212 |
|
2013 |
1,813 |
|
2012 |
1,556 |
|
2011 |
1,320 |
|
2010 |
1,123 |
|
2009 |
976 |
|
2008 |
926 |
Travelers can use the "What Can I Bring?" feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) 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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