The Transportation Security Administration announced Tuesday that it set a new record for firearm interceptions in 2022.
Tampa International Airport ranked among the top ten airports in the nation for most firearms found at security.
The agency reported that it confiscated 6,542 firearms in 2022. That's an increase of more than 500 firearms in 2021.
The report stated 88 percent of firearms detected at TSA last year were loaded. We spoke with Federal Security Director Kirk Skinner at TPA who said "loaded" doesn't
necessarily mean the ammunition is in the gun.
Skinner clarified that "loaded" means you could easily access both the gun and the ammunition. For example, one could be in your bag and the other in your pocket.
“I am incredibly proud of our dedicated TSA employees who perform the critical task of securing our nation’s transportation systems each day,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
In total, 131 firearms were found at TPA last year. TSA found 20 firearms at both St. Pete-Clearwater and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airports.
There were 448 firearm confiscations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2022, the most of any airport in the country. It was followed by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
While the numbers are alarming, the work TSA officers do every day is crucial.
"They realize that every bag has the potential to be the next threat that can take down an aircraft. So they take it very seriously. Our officers are the most important part of our entire operation. I am the federal security director, but in reality, I am not in charge of these screening operations. These men and women in blue they are," Skinner said.
Passengers are allowed to travel with unloaded firearms, but they must be packed in checked baggage.
"The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative," the TSA stated.
People who bring weapons to TSA checkpoints could face a fine of up to $15,000.
