WASHINGTON, DC — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 117 handguns at Virginia airport security checkpoints in 2023, one less than the 118 guns caught in 2022. All of the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2023. It was a significant increase from the 6,542 detected in 2022. Of the guns caught in 2023, approximately 93 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 265 airport checkpoints nationwide.
TSA officials are very concerned that the majority of individuals with firearms at checkpoints claim that they forgot that their gun was in their carry-on bag, which introduces an unnecessary security risk in the checkpoint environment. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times.
Reagan National Airport had the most confiscations with 39 followed by Norfolk and Dulles.
Penalties for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint vary depending on the jurisdiction, however in the Commonwealth of Virginia it is a criminal act to bring a firearm to the checkpoint.
