TSA - Transportation Security Administration
01/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 10:19
TSA continued to detect firearms at Virginia airport checkpoints in 2024
Guns caught in Virginia set a record
Local Press Release
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
This loaded handgun was detected by TSA officers at Norfolk International Airport on May 25, 2024. (TSA photo)
WASHINGTON, DC -- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 145 handguns at Virginia airport security checkpoints in 2024, the most guns ever detected in a single year. Allthe firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints. Four airports in Virginia set records for the most guns caught at their checkpoints in a year-Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (41 guns), Richmond International Airport (32 guns), Norfolk International Airport (34 guns) and Washington Dulles International Airport (29 guns).
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.
This firearm was intercepted at a Richmond International Airport security checkpoint on July 7, 2024. (TSA photo)"It was disappointing to continue to see so many travelers continue to bring their firearms to our security checkpoints," said John Busch, TSA Federal Security Director for Reagan National Airport. "If someone wants to transport their firearm to their destination, all that we ask is that they pack it properly, so that nobody has access to it during a flight."
"I commend our officers across the state for their continued focus on the mission," said Scott T. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Dulles International Airport. "They come to work every day, weekends, holidays on multiple shifts to ensure that people get to their destinations safely and this is a testament to the good work that they perform every day."
TSA officials are very concerned that the majority of individuals with firearms at checkpoints claim that they forgot that their gun was in their carry-on bag, which introduces an unnecessary security risk in the checkpoint environment. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times.
Penalties for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint vary depending on the jurisdiction, however in the Commonwealth of Virginia it is a criminal act to bring a firearm to the checkpoint.
"We saw almost double the number of guns intercepted at our Richmond checkpoints in 2024 compared to 2023," said Robin "Chuck" Burke, TSA Federal Security Director for southern Virginia airports. "Additionally, we saw an uptick in the number of guns people brought to our Norfolk checkpoints. Gun owners need to pay closer attention to the contents of their carry-on bags to ensure that they are not bringing a firearm to our checkpoints. Even if someone has a concealed permit to carry a firearm, it does not mean you can bring it into the cabin of a plane."
Firearms caught by TSA officers at airport checkpoints in Virginia, 2016 to 2024
|
Airport |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) |
19 |
13 |
16 |
14 |
10 |
30 |
29 |
39 |
41 |
|
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) |
14 |
10 |
21 |
15 |
12 |
23 |
27 |
29 |
34 |
|
Richmond International Airport (RIC) |
10 |
18 |
14 |
14 |
22 |
20 |
24 |
17 |
32 |
|
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) |
24 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
7 |
19 |
25 |
24 |
29 |
|
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) |
6 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
|
Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport (CHO) |
0 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Newport News-Williamsburg Regional Airport (PHF) |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
79 |
71 |
82 |
74 |
55 |
98 |
118 |
117 |
145 |
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.
|
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.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case. 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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