TSA sees slight drop in number of guns found at airport checkpoints: 'Starting to turn a corner'

Airport security agents are seeing good signs in the effort to remind passengers not to bring guns through security checkpoints. 

Last year, while the number of travelers went up, the number of guns intercepted by agents dropped.

TSA gun rules

"When you're preparing your firearm for travel, very important to make sure it's completely unloaded," said TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell.

READ: Real ID deadline is finally coming this year: What to know

Guns have to be in a case that doesn't allow for anything inside to move, with magazines separate. At the airport, travelers have to declare it at a ticket counter, put a Firearms Declaration Card inside, lock it and check it.

"That's the last time you're going to see it until you get to your destination," said Howell.

By the numbers:

It's a lesson that more people are apparently learning. At Tampa International Airport, agents found 144 guns at checkpoints in 2023. 

That number fell to 135 last year – a 6% decrease. 

MORE: New rules: What you could be owed if your flight is delayed by winter weather

Nationwide, the number of guns caught by screeners fell by 1%, and that's all as the number of travelers rose by 5%. 

"I think we're starting to turn a corner," said Howell. "But I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, because we're still finding a lot of guns in security checkpoints."

What happens if a gun is confiscated? 

Dig deeper:

The overwhelming number of travelers that are found with guns plead ignorance, saying they forgot to take them out of their bag. It's a mistake that can cost a gunowner – with a fine of up to nearly $15,000 and a loss of TSA PreCheck privileges. 

Depending on local laws, police could make an arrest or give a citation.

What you can do:

"If you are a gun owner, if you're planning to travel, do a quick double check of all of your personal belongings before you come to the airport," said Howell.

READ: These airlines were on time the most in 2024, flight data shows

Even though there was a decrease in guns found in 2024, the number is still way above where things were in 2019, with almost 6,700 vs. 4,400.

"People go out the door with their wallet, their phone, their keys, and their gun," said Howell. "But the days that you're traveling, you need to really pay attention to where your firearm is."

More than 90% of the guns that are intercepted are found to be loaded. 

The Source: The information provided in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Evan Axelbank and given by TSA officials. 

WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: 

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

TampaGun LawsTravel News