The TSA has seized “a record breaking 1,855” guns this year as of Tuesday night, the agency gleefully reported on its blog.
1,471, or 79 percent, of the weapons were loaded.
The TSA did try to contain its boasts a little. “Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding,” effused TSA blogger Bob Burns, “but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the line is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested.”
The blog also detailed which airports saw the most gun-toting travelers: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) took the number one spot at 104 firearm discoveries, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) was second with 90. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Denver International (DEN) rounded out the rest of the top five, with around 60 each.
Generally these are cases of travelers simply forgetting that they left their gun in their bag. The fine for their slip-up is $3,000 for a loaded gun and $1,500 for an unloaded gun. And some prohibited items could cost you up to $7,500. 20 percent of offending customers are arrested, according to The Hill.
The TSA blog’s weekly round-up also noted, “We continue to find inert grenades and other weaponry on a weekly basis. Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a real bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited.” Apparently not everyone payed attention to the TSA’s Halloween warning against realistic toy weapons.
In San Francisco, the TSA saved passengers from “A realistic replica of a Claymore anti-personnel mine .”
The blog also reminded passengers that TSA agents do not have a sense of humor, with a “What Not to Say at an Airport” anecdote: “During a bag search at the New York Kennedy airport (JFK), a passenger stated: ‘Why you looking in my bag? There’s a bomb in there.’ There was no bomb in his bag.”
H/T The Hill
