Guns Found At Georgia Airports Spiked In 2021, TSA Says

Atlanta GA

18 January, 2022

5:42 PM

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ATLANTA, GA — Transportation Security Administration officers at Georgia airports discovered 542 guns in travelers' carry-on luggage in 2021 — more than double the amount from the previous year. The Transportation Security Administration said that most of those guns — 507 total — were found at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, shattering a national single-airport record. TSA said its officers discovered the guns at airport security checkpoints throughout Georgia during routine screenings of carry-on property . Below is a breakdown of the number of guns found by TSA over the past four years at Georgia airports: Airport2018201920202021Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int'l (ATL)298323220507Savannah-Hilton Head Int'l (SAV)1918626Augusta Regional (AGS)101125Columbus Metropolitan (CSG)1211Valdosta Regional (VLD)3211Southwest Georgia Regional (ABY)2111Middle Georgia Regional (MCN)0101Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK)2100Georgia total:335359231542National total:4,2394,4323,2575,972In a news release, TSA said it screened approximately 21.98 million departing travelers at Georgia airports, a nearly 94 percent increase over the total screened in 2020. Nationwide, a gun was detected for every 97,999 passengers screened. In Georgia, the rate was more than double the national rate—with one gun discovered for every 40,570 passengers screened. Here are the top 10 airports with guns caught by TSA at checkpoints in 2021: RankAirport (Code)Total1Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)5072Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)3173Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)2454Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)1965Nashville International Airport (BNA)1636Denver International Airport (DEN) 1417Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) 1288Orlando International Airport (MCO)1249Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)11910Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)115In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing guns to the security checkpoint. TSA said it evaluates each gun incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the gun was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of $13,900 per violation. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage, TSA warned.