TSA - Transportation Security Administration
01/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 11:01
Guns intercepted at TSA checkpoints in Upstate New York increased in 2024
Local Press Release
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
This loaded handgun was intercepted by a TSA officer at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport on March 18, 2024. (TSA photo)
ALBANY, N.Y. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 23 handguns at Upstate New York airport security checkpoints in 2024, an increase from the 20 caught in 2023. All the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Twenty-three firearms caught ties the annual record for the most guns detected at checkpoints in the 13 airports in Upstate New York, which was set in 2022.
This firearm was intercepted at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport on June 25, 2024. (TSA photo)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.
"I commend the officers who have continued to perform their security duties at the highest level throughout the year," said Bart R. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. "Our officers remain vigilant and focused on their mission to ensure that travelers get to their destinations safely. Still, it is disappointing to continue to see individuals bringing their firearms to our security checkpoints. Most people claim that they forgot that they had their gun with them. It is careless and irresponsible to not know where your gun is. Responsible gun owners know where their gun is at all times. And they know not to bring it to an airport checkpoint."
TSA firearms intercepted at checkpoints in airports in the Upstate New York region, 2015 to 2024
|
Airport |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
| Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) |
2 |
6 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
| Albany International Airport (ALB) |
1 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
| Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
| Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) |
5 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
| Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Totals |
10 |
10 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
19 |
23 |
20 |
23 |
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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