Transportation Security Administration officers detected firearms in the carry-on luggage of 97 passengers attempting to board planes at Pennsylvania airports in 2024, as revealed by recently released data from the agency.
In 2024, there were a total of 97 incidents, slightly fewer than the 103 stops recorded in 2023. This represents a decrease from the previous year, which had the highest number of incidents since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) started keeping track in 2017.
Harrisburg International Airport experienced four incidents, while Lancaster Airport had one incident last year. Pittsburgh International Airport had the highest number of incidents at 42, closely followed by Philadelphia International Airport with 40 incidents.
In 2024, TSA officers at airport checkpoints across the country detected a total of 6,678 firearms. This number represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year’s total of 6,737. Interestingly, this is the first annual decline in the number of firearms detected at checkpoints, excluding the significant drop in passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as reported by the TSA.
In 2024, the TSA reported that about 94% of the confiscated guns were found to be loaded. These firearms were discovered at a total of 277 airport checkpoints across the country.
“Our officers across the state are to be commended for their continued vigilance in ensuring that no prohibited or illegal items are carried onto a flight,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania. “It was good to see fewer people bringing their guns to our checkpoints in 2024, however, it continued to be disappointing to see individuals who were still bringing their firearms to our security checkpoints.
“When stopped by our officers, the majority of 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.”
If travelers bring firearms to the checkpoint, they may face criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. It is important to note that even if a traveler possesses a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not allowed to be carried onto an airplane. Nevertheless, travelers who have the necessary firearm permits can legally travel with their firearms in their checked bags, provided they adhere to a few straightforward guidelines.
Passengers can bring firearms in their checked baggage, as long as they follow certain guidelines. The firearms must be unloaded and securely packed in a locked hard-side case. Additionally, ammunition should be stored in its original box and can be placed inside the same hard-side case, alongside the firearm. It is important to note that even if the ammunition box is not full, the bullets must remain in their original case. When checking in, passengers should bring the case containing the firearm to the airline counter and declare it to the airline representative. This ensures that the firearm is transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft, where it remains inaccessible to anyone during the flight. For more information on how to properly travel with a firearm, the TSA website provides detailed guidelines.
Bringing weapons to a checkpoint can result in federal civil penalties of up to $15,000. You can find the complete list of penalties posted online.