The TSA has released updated numbers on guns found in carry-on luggage last week throughout the country. I was astounded at how many people still try to bring a loaded gun onto a plane and think that they will get it through security. Geez, I am worried about getting through security with all my liquids without a hassle. Can you imagine!
TSA Firearms Confiscations
Thanksgiving week, the TSA reported finding 32 guns trying to go through security in carry-on luggage. 24 of them were loaded and 7 had rounds chambered. Really!?
Take a look at which airports had the most firearm confiscations:
You are allowed to check a gun as long as you declare it to the airline. I hope that these incidences were due to people who have never flown before and therefore are oblivious and not people who have bad intentions trying to bring a weapon onto a plane!
People caught trying to bring a gun in their carry-on are subject to a fine up to $7,500.
Bottom Line
Thank you to the TSA for their hard work finding these weapons before they boarded a plane!
About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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One of my fears is forgetting that my handgun is in my carry-on so I don’t usually put it in there even when traveling by car. Some of these people are just stupid (chambered rounds). Some are naive or don’t know better (hard to imagine) and some are just unlucky that they forgot it was in a purse or bag they brought. Figure out of millions traveling that there a few unlucky ones. It’s sort of like forgetting that you have a leatherman tool attached to your key ring for some.
Nothing wrong with a chambered round when the weapon is in an appropriate holster. The only real risk is something engaging the trigger, which should be protected by a quality holster and/or retention device. When you need a weapon the time (and dexterity under stress) needed to chamber a round can be significant.
That said, I agree with Dan – I’m paranoid about making sure I physically check to ensure that my handgun is actually located in its safe before I walk out the door to an airport. It’s either on me or in the safe, but I never, ever want to find myself on this chart, so I double-check my safe EVERY time I leave for the airport.