The number of guns intercepted in 13 upstate New York airports by Transportation Security Administration officers increased in 2024.
In 2023, TSA officers found 20 guns; in 2024, that number increased to 23. All of the firearms were found by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints. The 23 firearms found ties the record for the most caught in upstate airports.
Nationwide, there were 6,678 guns found at 277 airport checkpoints in 2024, a decrease from 6,737 in 2023.
Of the guns caught in 2024, approximately 94% were loaded.
"[It] is disappointing to continue to see individuals bringing their firearms to our security checkpoints," said Bart R. Johnson, TSA federal security director for upstate New York. "Most people claim that they forgot that they had their gun with them. It is careless and irresponsible to not know where your gun is. Responsible gun owners know where their gun is at all times. And they know not to bring it to an airport checkpoint."