TSA firearm catch rate doubles in 2020; 10 confiscated at MKE
By FOX6 News Digital Team
Published
MILWAUKEE - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected twice as many firearms per million passengers screened at airport security checkpoints nationwide in 2020 compared to 2019, and at a significantly higher rate than any other year since the agency’s inception.
A news release issued on Tuesday, Jan. 26 says throughout 2020, TSA caught approximately 10 firearms per million passengers screened as compared to about five firearms per million passengers screened in 2019.
TSA officers discovered a total of 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags at checkpoints, although the total number of passengers screened in 2020 fell by 500 million versus 2019 due to the pandemic. Of those firearms caught in 2020, about 83 percent were loaded. In 2019, TSA officers stopped a record 4,432 firearms, of which 87 percent were loaded.
Rate of guns seized at airport checkpoints jumped in 2020
There were fewer air travelers in the United States last year, but a higher percentage of them were carrying guns. Author: Associated Press Updated: 10:10 AM CST January 26, 2021
WASHINGTON Security screeners confiscated guns at airport checkpoints at a record pace last year although the total number of guns dropped along with the steep plunge in travelers because of the pandemic.
The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday that screeners found 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags in 2020, or about 10 for every million travelers. About 83% of the guns were loaded.
The rate was double that in 2019, when screeners found 5 guns for every million passengers. However, with 500 million more travelers screened in 2019, TSA officers found a record 4,432 guns that year.
Rate of guns seized at airport checkpoints jumped in 2020
January 26, 2021 GMT
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2020 file photo, a TSA agent assist a traveler at a security checkpoint at Love Field Airport in Dallas. There were fewer air travelers in the United States last year, but a higher percentage of them were carrying guns. The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, that screeners found 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags in 2020, or about 10 for every million travelers. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2020 file photo, a TSA agent assist a traveler at a security checkpoint at Love Field Airport in Dallas. There were fewer air travelers in the United States last year, but a higher percentage of them were carrying guns. The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, that screeners found 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags in 2020, or about 10 for every million travel
Associated Press
WASHINGTON Security screeners confiscated guns at airport checkpoints at a record pace last year although the total number of guns dropped along with the steep plunge in travelers because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday that screeners found 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags in 2020, or about 10 for every million travelers. About 83% of the guns were loaded.
The rate was double that in 2019, when screeners found 5 guns for every million passengers. However, with 500 million more travelers screened in 2019, TSA officers found a record 4,432 guns that year.
Screeners found 220 guns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, followed by 176 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 126 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, 126 at Phoenix s Sky Harbor International Airport and 104 at Denver International Airport.
TSA: Sky Harbor 4th most guns found on passengers in nation
Sky Harbor/Art Holeman
and last updated 2021-01-26 12:28:32-05
PHOENIX â Twice as many firearms were detected at the nation s airports in 2020 than the year before, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration.
The TSA discovered 3,257 firearms on passengers or in their carry-on bags at checkpoints. On the other side of the coin, there were 500 million fewer passengers being screened at checkpoints in 2020 than in 2019.
About 83% of the firearms were loaded. In 2019, about 87% of the 4,432 discovered firearms were loaded.
TSA
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was in fourth place for the most firearms discovered, just behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Houston s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.