Scissors, deodorant spray and bottles of drinking water make up the bulk of items confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at U.S. airports every day. Every week, however, TSA security checks uncover scores of loaded firearms in traveller's carry-on luggage as well. Despite decrease in air travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the TSA confiscated guns from passengers at a record rate in 2020.
Even though the 3,257 guns confiscated in 2020 represents a decline on the 4,432 weapons taken from passengers in 2019, the initial figure represents ten million firearms per million passengers compared to five per million for the latter. That marks the highest rate of firearm confiscation in the agency's 19-year history.
Out of the total guns screened last year, 83 percent were loaded. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International saw the most guns confiscated in 2020 with 220 taken from passengers. Dallas/Fort Worth International followed with 176 while Houston's George Bush Intercontinental came third with 126.
