The TSA at Boise Airport has discovered a record number of firearms in carry-on bags this year, with 43 firearms detected as of October 27, surpassing the 42 firearms detected in all of 2023. This uptick mirrors a growing nationwide trend of passengers, most often, inadvertently bringing firearms to airport checkpoints. Just days ago, a similar incident occurred at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, where a Virginia Beach man was detained after TSA officers found his 9mm handgun in his carry-on bag at a checkpoint.

Boise Airport’s discovery of 43 firearms in travelers’ carry-ons marks more than double the number from five years ago, signaling a significant increase even as airport passenger traffic reaches new highs. Nationally, TSA discovered more than 5,400 firearms at checkpoints this year, a slight decrease from the same period in 2023, when an all-time high of 6,737 firearms were confiscated from airport security lines. Most of these, around 93%, were loaded—a concerning statistic highlighting potential safety risks at checkpoints for TSA agents as well as passengers. The TSA noted that a common reason travelers give for carrying a firearm in their carry-on bag is simply “forgetting” their firearms were in there. Experts also suggest increased firearm ownership, increased flying among Americans and state laws that make it easier for citizens to carry firearms so that it becomes a more natural part of their daily lives as contributing factors. 

A look at Norfolk’s numbers show a marked increase in firearms discoveries since the pandemic with 12 being discovered in 2020 (the year many flights were curtailed and lockdowns kept people inside) and jumping to 23 in 2021, 27 in 2022, 29 in 2023 and 33 so far this year with two months left to go. I fortunately, have not been one of them. 

The TSA continues to stress the strict guidelines for travelers carrying firearms; a no brainer really for most people: You can’t carry a gun, loaded or unloaded, on a plane, but you can transport it in your checked baggage if properly stored and declared. All firearms must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case and checked at the ticket counter rather than brought to security checkpoints. Travelers found with firearms at checkpoints face civil penalties of up to $15,000, possible arrest, as occurred to the man recently in Norfolk, and the suspension of Trusted Traveler and TSA PreCheck privileges. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, including permanent disqualification from TSA PreCheck.

To avoid these costly and potentially dangerous mistakes, gun-owning travelers should use designated bags for travel to prevent inadvertently carrying firearms or ammunition to the airport. Try not to fly with the same bags you use to carry gear and guns to the range or when traveling by vehicle. Additionally, passengers can use resources like TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” website or app to clarify which items are permitted. For more comprehensive information on traveling with firearms, travelers are encouraged to review TSA’s guidelines on its official website.