As airport gun discoveries rose 28% nationwide in 2022, Tallahassee International Airport set a record

Alaijah Brown, Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
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A firearm intercepted by TSA at Tallahassee International Airport.
A firearm intercepted by TSA at Tallahassee International Airport.

Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) set a record for gun interceptions in 2022, with 15 firearms — 13 of them loaded – being discovered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The previous record at TLH was 10 interceptions in 2019.

In the U.S., 6,542 guns were intercepted at airports in 2022, according to TSA data.

“There has been a steady upward trend, with the only exception being 2020 when passenger volume was considerably lower due to coronavirus,” said TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz.

Three airports in Florida made the year's list of the top 10 airports with firearm discoveries nationwide.

Orlando International Airport had 162, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had 134 and Tampa International Airport had 131.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport had the most confiscations nationally at 448. Of the firearms discovered nationwide, 88% were loaded. 

So far in 2023, only one gun has been intercepted at TLH.

A breakdown of guns intercepted by the TSA at airports in the U.S.
A breakdown of guns intercepted by the TSA at airports in the U.S.

What happens when a firearm is found during airport security?

While TSA is the agency that intercepts firearms, they do not confiscate weapons. They partner with the FBI for investigations and local law enforcement for arrests, citations and confiscations. The Tallahassee Police Department works with TSA and the FBI on gun interceptions at TLH.

“Whenever a firearm is detected by our officers, we freeze the bag inside the X-ray tunnel and immediately notify and partner with local law enforcement, who ultimately determine the disposition of the firearm and whether the passenger will be arrested or cited,” Koshetz said.

“Usually, TSA and the FBI deal with interceptions and handle investigations,” said TPD public information officer Heather Merritt, “We’re the boots on the ground for confiscations.”

Bringing a gun into a TSA checkpoint is a violation of federal law.

TSA advises travelers with firearms to be aware of laws regarding air travel with guns in the state of their departure and their destination to avoid an arrest or a civil penalty up to $15,000.

How to legally fly with a gun

National guidelines on air travel with guns are to declare your firearms to the airline when checking in your baggage. Always contain your firearms, along with ammunition, in a secured, locked case. Transportation of firearms in carry-on luggage or on your person is not permitted, according to TSA.

“Every passenger bears the responsibility of knowing exactly where their gun is before entering the security checkpoint and where that is should never be in your carry-on or on your person,” said Koshetz. “An accidental discharge could result in tragedy.”

Koshetz also noted that firearms may not be legal to transport in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.

Contact Democrat writer Alaijah Brown at ABrown1@gannett.com and on Twitter at @BrownAlaijah.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee airport sets record in 2022 for TSA gun interceptions