The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) not only stops travelers from bringing dangerous and prohibited items onto airplanes, but it also tallies the finds.
And the agency shares information about some of the more unusual items that show up at the security checkpoints on social media.
For some reason, many travelers pack guns in their carry-on bags. And the number keeps going up.
In the first quarter of 2023, TSA officers found 1,508 guns at checkpoints. That’s 10.3% more than the same period in 2022.
BREAKING NEWS: The number of guns caught at checkpoints by @TSA officers in the first quarter of 2023 (1,508 guns) represents a 10.3% increase over the same period in 2022 when @TSA stopped 1,367 guns at airport security checkpoints.
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) April 20, 2023
Fake guns and ammunition – even replica versions can’t fly either
This is not the fashion statement to make at a @TSA checkpoint. No ammunition (or replica ammo) is permitted through a checkpoint. The traveler was allowed to return the belt to his vehicle at @EWR this morning. Spoiler alert: His pants did not fall down. pic.twitter.com/pH6ACuoTxA
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) April 18, 2023
Stop it with all those sharp things
It’s not just guns. Check out these sharp objects travelers tried to bring on airplanes, and TSA’s cutting remarks about them.
A TSA officer detected this sword concealed inside the staff of a cane at a TSA security checkpoint at @EWRairport yesterday. Unfortunately bringing swords to checkpoints just doesn't cut it. Good catch on the sharp eye of the @TSA officer who was clearly on point. pic.twitter.com/jIvOy2KQ1A
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) April 26, 2023
A traveler flying out of @EWRairpot "axidentally" left his axe in his carry-on bag. @TSA officers performed an "axe" of kindness and worked with the man to place the axe in his checked bag, where it could safely be transported to the traveler's destination. pic.twitter.com/afJMnb9aGL
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) April 24, 2023
Here’s a packing tip: check your pockets, your purse, your briefcase, duffel, or carry-on bag to make sure you aren’t taking your gun – your loaded gun (!) – with you to the airport.
As travel returns to ‘normal,’ the Transporation Security Administration reports an uptick in the number of guns, and – we repeat – loaded guns – being discovered at airport checkpoints.
đŻ Second firearm find of the day at the checkpoint by @TSA officers at @iflyboise. This loaded 9 mm Springfield Armory Hellcat with 9 rounds of ammo should have traveled in checked baggage. TSA will fine this traveler. đ¸ Grateful to those who keep security threats off planes! pic.twitter.com/GcBzBn8fuu
Gun owners tell us that responsible gun owners always know where their gun is located. TSA says most people found with a gun in their carry-on say “they forgot” they had that gun on them.
Or, depending on local laws, TSA may just tell you to (properly) put the gun in checked luggage. Or leave it behind.
But we’re headed for trouble. Last week TSA reported that in the first 6 months of 2022, TSA officers have already found more than 3,000 guns at checkpoints around the country.
That’s an average of 17 guns per day. And at this pace, TSA will surpass the previous record of 5,972 guns found at airport checkpoints in one year. That record was set in 2021, a year when far fewer people were traveling.
Any ideas for how to stop this?
BREAKING: In first 6 months of 2022, @TSA detected more than 3,000 guns at checkpoints nationwide. On average, TSA is stopping 17 guns at checkpoints daily. At that pace, the number of guns detected will pass the current annual record of 5,972 guns stopped, which was set in 2021. pic.twitter.com/vJglJvKIdV
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) July 6, 2022
Winter weather and pandemic-related staffing issues are creating a nightmare for travelers.
Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed – or delayed and then canceled – over the holiday weekend and now into this week.
On Tuesday, more than 1,000 flights across the country were canceled, while thousands more experienced delays. When we checked late Tuesday evening, FlightAware was already showing more than 650 flight cancelations for Wednesday and it’s a good bet that more will be canceled overnight.
We hope you are not caught up in the mess.
“Artfully Concealed” Knives
TSA has some alarming images and statistics about ‘artfully concealed’ and not-so-artfully concealed weapons that people try to bring through airport checkpoints.
Incredibly alarming are the knives discovered on Monday sewn inside a kid’s stuffed animal at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
“The stuffed animal, which appeared to be a black bear in a space-age technology suit and cape, triggered an alarm as it entered the checkpoint X-ray machine,” TSA said in a statement. “The X-ray image indicated something concealed inside the bear and upon closer inspection, TSA officers noticed that the back of the bear showed signs it had been re-stitched.”
When the stitching was removed, two knives were found inside the bear’s stuffing.
The mother of the boy carrying the toy told officials that the bear is a comfort toy for her son. But TSA says the mom will likely face a Federal civil penalty for this violation.
Lions and tigers and bears–oh my! Oh no, no, no! @TSA officers at @PHLAirport detected two knives concealed inside a childâs stuffed animal yesterday. TSA officers noticed the back of the bear appeared to have been resewn. Toy belonged to a 9-year-old boy traveling with his mom. pic.twitter.com/RaLfy7jaBQ
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) December 28, 2021
Meanwhile, right before the Christmas holiday, TSA shared that so far this year its officers have found more than 5,700 firearms at security checkpoints. That is a 20-year record.
It was alarming to learn that during 2017, the Transportation Security Administration found a record setting 3,957 firearms in carry-on bags at airport checkpoints.
That was 16.7 percent (556 more) firearms than found in 2016, when ‘only’ 3,391 firearms were found.
Will 2018 see a dip in the number of firearms passengers bring to the security checkpoints?
Not likely: It’s only February and another record has been broken: between February 5th and 11th, TSA found a record breaking 104 firearms in carry-on bags. Of those 104 firearms, 87 were loaded and 38 had a round chambered.
The previous week-long record? 96 firearms found during one week in July 2017.
For the Runway Girl Network, I put together a year-end review of the guns, weapons and assorted odd items discovered by TSA at airport checkpoints during 2015.
In 2014, the TSA reported that it had discovered 2,122 firearms in the carry-on bags of passengers. That was an average of six firearms per day and was a 22 percent increase over the number of firearms (1,813) found in 2013.
TSAâs official 2015 Year in Review is due out any minute, but my unofficial tally taken from the weekly reports on the TSA Blog adds up to 2,495 firearms found at airport checkpoints this past year â which is yet another new record.
Of course, prohibited items found by Transportation Security Officers in carry-on bags and on passengers passing through security checkpoints arenât limited to firearms.
Last year TSA found, 40 pounds of marijuana in one manâs bag at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a meat slicer at Southwest Florida International Airport and a knife concealed inside a souvenir replica of the Eiffel Tower, found at Oakland International Airport.
And, in the same week in March that the TSA found 55 firearms (51 loaded; 13 with a round chambered) and 13 stun guns, a Chihuahua was discovered inside a checked bag at New Yorkâs LaGuardia Airport.
How did that happen?
âApparently, the dog climbed in while its owner was packing her suitcase. TSA worked with the airline to identify the owner, and the two were happily reunited,â the TSA reported.
