The TSA Just Set a New Record for Guns Found at Airports
Photo Credit: TSA agents at Los Angeles' International terminal. Flickr / Steve Jurvetson
Skift Take
The discoveries are not so much about the TSA being more vigilant as they are about the growing number gun owners who tend to be more forgetful than their more responsible forebears.
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Agents of the Transportation Security Administration have discovered over 1,500 guns at airport checkpoints year to date as of the end of last week's tally, a record for the agency. In 2012, the TSA set a record when it discovered over 1,500 guns. At this rate, the agency responsible for manning security at United States airports is on track to discover over 1,800 guns in 2013.
As of October 24, agents have discovered 1,502 guns. Of these, 1,259 were loaded and 415 had a bullet in the chamber. All were in passengers' carry-on bags or coat pockets. [See a full chart of all weapons and airports, below.]
The increased discoveries are not related to any changes this year in how the TSA operates. Ross Feinstein,
