TSA confiscated 11 guns at South Bend airport in 2022, up from five the two years before

Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Jessica Mayle said bringing a gun to the airport is usually a mistake. However, for gun owners, this mistake can be costly ― both in terms of money and time.

Firearms usually end up at TSA checkpoints, where they are confiscated, because gun owners forget their weapon is in their carry-on luggage, Mayle said.

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"It seems to be, generally, people just being forgetful around this issue," she continued. "There are places where it's fine to bring a concealed weapon, but the airport is not one of them; the checkpoint is not one of them. It's never going to make it through."

Mayle said 2022 marked an all-time high for the number of guns confiscated at TSA checkpoints nationwide. According to a Jan. 17 press release, TSA officers stopped 6,542 firearms at checkpoints at 262 different airports, surpassing the previous record of 5,972 firearms confiscated at checkpoints in 2021. The vast majority of the weapons, 88%, were loaded.

At South Bend International Airport, more than double the number of firearms confiscated in 2021 were stopped in 2022. The release reported that 11 firearms were detected and confiscated last year, up from five each year in 2021 and 2020.

TSA hopes to lower the number of guns found at checkpoints in 2023 by educating passengers on the issue, Mayle said. One tip she offers is to start packing with a completely empty bag.

"You're much less likely to put something in that bag that you're not supposed to have than if you grab a bag that was already packed from another trip and you might not remember everything that's at the bottom of it," she said. "Maybe it adds a few minutes to your packing process at your house, but it saves you so much time at the checkpoint."

What happens when TSA detects a firearm?

It is illegal to possess a firearm at a TSA checkpoint, so if officers detect one, local police are called to take possession of it.

Mayle said consequences for the gun owner are subject to local laws, but they usually receive a ticket.

Last month, TSA also upped its maximum penalty for bringing a firearm to the airport. Fines can now be as high as $14,950, depending on the circumstances and TSA's investigation of the incident.

"It's unusual that a first offense would go that high, but we have that range because there are circumstances like: Was the gun artfully concealed? Like, were you trying to hide it from us? Was it loaded or unloaded? Is this your first offense?" Mayle said. "All of these factors we take into account when determining the fine."

If a passenger has their gun stopped at a TSA checkpoint, they also temporarily lose their TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years.

In Indiana, Indiana Code defines possession of a firearm, explosive or deadly weapon in a controlled access area of an airport ― such as a TSA checkpoint ― as a Class A misdemeanor. Violators can receive up to one year in prison and can be fined up to $5,000.

South Bend International Airport vice president of marketing and air service development Julie Curtis said the St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety does not issue local fines nor issue criminal charges but makes reports and turns them over to the county prosecutor's office where penalties are determined by Indiana Code.

How does South Bend compare to other airports?

TSA reported that another Indiana airport, Evansville Regional Airport, also had more guns confiscated at checkpoints in 2022 than in 2021. Ten guns were confiscated last year, up from six the year before.

Fort Wayne International Airport reported eight guns confiscated in 2022 and 12 in 2021, and Indianapolis International Airport reported 68 guns in 2022 and 74 in 2021.

Indiana was not represented in TSA's list of the top 10 airports with the highest number of firearms confiscated in 2022. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was first with 448 guns, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with 385 guns and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 298.

Mayle attributes these high numbers to these airports being located in areas of the country with high gun ownership rates.

How do I legally travel with a firearm?

Gun owners can legally travel with a firearm in their checked baggage if they follow specific guidelines.

Firearms must be stored unloaded in a locked, hard-sided case, separate from ammunition, Mayle said. Gun owners must declare their firearm each time they present it for transport as checked baggage, or they will be subject to a fine.

Mayle encourages anyone who plans to travel with a firearm or other item they may have concerns about to visit TSA's website, tsa.gov, for updated guidelines and policies before they fly.

Email Tribune staff writer Claire Reid at cereid@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: TSA confiscated 11 guns at South Bend airport in 2022, up from 2021