While gun control laws are still controversial topics throughout the United States, airport security screeners found a record high number of firearms in carry-on bags in 2015—with most of them were loaded, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Transportation Security Administration said they found 2,653 firearms and 83 percent of them contained ammunition. That’s 20 percent more than in 2014. In 2015, firearms were found in carry-ons at 236 airports, according to the TSA.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport found 153 firearms, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport found 144 firearms, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport found 100 firearms, Denver International Airport found 90 firearms and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport found 73 firearms.
The TSA said they screened 708 million passengers in 2015, which is up by about six percent from 2014.
According to reports, “The agency suggested that the increase may be the result of better search techniques by airport screeners, although a moderate uptick in the number of travelers also may have contributed.”
All weapons as well as inert bombs and realistic props made to look like firearms are prohibited in any carry-on bags on commercial planes. Anyone who brings a firearm to an airport checkpoint can face criminal charges and fines.
