Officials: Armed Travelers Trying To Board Planes Set Record
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials say a record number of airline passengers were caught last year trying to take guns on planes, and most of the weapons were loaded.
The Transportation Security Administration says 2,653 firearms were found in carry-on bags in 2015, a 20 percent increase over the previous year, which had been a record. More than four out of five were loaded.
Top 10 airports for gun catches in 2015
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 153
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 144
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Houston (IAH): 100
- Denver International Airport (DEN): 90
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 73
- Nashville International Airport (BNA): 59
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 59
- Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL): 57
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 54
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): 52
Other weapons were also seized including at least two ornate knives at Oakland International Airport, dozens of inert grenades, three daggers were discovered inside a zip-up folder at Tucson and Batarangs were seized at several airports around the nation.
Weapons of any kind are prohibited in carry-on bags. However, passengers can take guns with them when they fly if they are in checked bags, unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline.
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