The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has seized more guns in 2021 than in any other year since its creation two decades ago. A whopping 5,674 firearms were intercepted by the agency at airport security checkpoints.
The previous annual record was 4,432 guns confiscated in 2019, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said during a Monday briefing to the media.
“It’s an all-time high,” Pekoske noted. “The reason? I think there’s just more firearm carriage in the country. That’s the best answer I can give you.”
The numbers peaked in November during a time of increased air travel ahead of Thanksgiving. TSA officers screened almost 21 million travelers during the 10-day holiday period and expect the next peak to come during Christmas. Airports in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston showed the highest detection rates
The majority of the confiscated firearms – about 85% – were loaded when they were found by officers. TSA rules allow guns to be carried only if they are unloaded and in checked baggage.