TSA's annual report for 2025

TSA Intercepts 6,678 Firearms at US Airport Checkpoints in 2024, 94% Loaded, Virginia Sets Record

Jan 15, 2025, 07:02 PM

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported intercepting 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints across the United States in 2024, marking a slight decrease from the 6,737 firearms detected in 2023. Of the firearms intercepted, 94% were loaded. The top three airports for firearm offenses were Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with 440 guns, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with 390 guns, and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 272 guns. Virginia set a record for the most firearms seized at its airport checkpoints in 2024, with a total of 145 guns detected. Conversely, Pennsylvania airports saw a slight decrease in firearms detected, totaling 97 guns. Denver International Airport ranked sixth in the U.S. for firearms found in carry-on luggage, with 92% of the detected guns being loaded. TSA screened over 904 million passengers in 2024, with the rate of firearm interceptions decreasing to 7.4 per million passengers. TSA Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the safety risks posed by firearms at checkpoints and reminded travelers that firearms must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline, and transported in checked baggage. Individuals caught with a firearm at a checkpoint face a maximum civil penalty of $14,950 and revocation of TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years. TSA continues to promote its 'Prepare, Pack, Declare' campaign to educate travelers on proper firearm transportation procedures.