Record number of guns were intercepted by TSA in 2022


There were 6,542 guns intercepted by the Transportation Security Administration in 2022, reports The Associated Press. This is a new record high, amounting to approximately 18 guns per day in airports across the country.
"What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we're seeing in society, and in society there are more people carrying firearms nowadays," commented TSA administrator David Pekoske. While guns were confiscated across the country, airports in Texas and Florida tended to rank higher. However, the Atlanta airport had the highest number of interceptions.
The consequences for gun possession vary depending on state and local laws and can span from being arrested, to being allowed to give the gun off to someone and still fly. "It's disruptive no matter what," said retired TSA official Keith Jeffries. "It's a dangerous, prohibited item and, let's face it, you should know where your gun is at, for crying out loud."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Experts say that gun interceptions are likely not due to malicious intent, but that people are simply forgetting about their firearms. "These are not bad people that are in dire need of punishment," Aidan Johnston, from the gun advocacy group Gun Owners of America said in reference to the range of consequences. "These are people who made a mistake."
The statistic has sparked concern as more people are in possession of firearms. Data shows that 16.4 million people completed background checks for gun ownership last year, compared to just 7 million in 2000. In 2023 there have already been close to 6,000 deaths from gun violence, according to the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Four royal holiday hotspots
The Week Recommends Follow in the footsteps of royalty and experience the charm of some of their most popular getaways
-
The rise of the lost luggage auction
In the Spotlight Lost luggage hauls are attracting millions of views online
-
Stunning beaches in Scotland
The Week Recommends Scenic spots that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other cities
speed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago