TSA on track to find more guns than last year at TIA

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Transportation Safety Administration officials say they are already on track to find more guns at Tampa International's security checkpoints this year than they did in 2015.

It's a trend the TSA says is concerning.

In 2015, TSA screeners stopped 49 guns from getting on to planes. This year, in only seven months, that number is 42.

They say, in most cases people tell them they forgot the gun was inside their carry-on or on their person. Many are also legal concealed carry permit holders.

TSA officials say bringing a gun to the airport can result in arrest, up to $11,000 in civil fines and a definite missed flight.

Tampa International was number eight on the nation's list of airports where the most guns were discovered, which is disproportionately high for its size.

Airport official say the high number of guns discovered may have to do with Florida being the state with the most number of concealed carry permits issued.