21 guns found at US airports – in one day

Los Angeles Times (TNS)

U.S. airports have been breaking records for the number of passengers in the past few years.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration has been breaking records for the number of guns that security officers find on passengers and in their carry-on luggage.

Last year, TSA agents seized 3,391 guns, or an average of nine a day, at the nation’s airports, a 28 percent increase from 2015.

Now, the TSA has set a new record. On Feb. 23, agents at various airports found 21 guns in a single day, breaking the previous one-day high of 18 firearms found June 4, 2014.

A breakdown of the weapons and the airports where they were found shows no obvious pattern. The guns were found in small airports, including Asheville, N.C., and at big hubs, including Washington Dulles International Airport.

Nine of the firearms were 9mm handguns, and all but one were loaded, according to the TSA. When such weapons are found, TSA agents turn the firearm and the passenger over to local police.

TSA officials won’t speculate about whether the record-setting pace of firearm seizures is the result of more passengers traveling by air, improved screening methods or both.