TSA confiscated record number of guns from carry-ons in 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - The Transportation Safety Administration caught more people trying to bring guns onto flights in 2018 than ever before.

TSA agents confiscated a record-setting 4,239 firearms from passengers’ carry-on bags at security checkpoints across the country. That’s an average of about 81 guns per week or 11 per day.

A whopping 86 percent of the guns were loaded and about 1/3 of them had a round in the chamber, the agency said.

The location with the most firearm discoveries was Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson International Airport, where 298 guns were confiscated in 2018. That number is more than double compared to the number of guns confiscated in Atlanta the year before.

Two Florida airports made the list of the top airports with guns found by TSA officers. Orlando International Airport was the fifth worst offender in 2018 with 123 firearms found, 112 of which were loaded. At no. 7 was Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where 96 guns were discovered.

Texas was the state with the most airports on the list, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Dallas Love Field making the list at No. 2, 6, 8 and 9 respectively.

But guns weren't the only prohibited items agents found in people’s luggage. TSA shared pictures of smoke grenades, lighter fluid, fireworks, replica mortar shells, concealed knives and foil-wrapped scissors found in both checked and carry-on bags.

“If you plan to travel with your firearm, make sure you know the rules for packing it in your checked baggage,” the agency said on its website. “Anything resembling an explosive item is prohibited in carry-on and checked bags. 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).”

TSA can impose civil penalties of up to $13,333 on travelers who try to bring prohibited items on a flight.

KDFW contributed to this report.