2LT International News

WASHINGTON D.C.: In 2022, 6,542 guns were intercepted by the Transportation Security Administration at airport checkpoints across the United States.

The all-time record number, equivalent to confiscating some 18 guns per day, has caused concern among officials. With the exception of 2020 when travel was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of weapons intercepted at airports has risen annually since 2010.

“What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we’re seeing in society, and in society there are more people carrying firearms nowadays,” said Transportation Security Administration administrator David Pekoske, as quoted by Reuters.

Guns are usually intercepted at larger airports in areas where local laws are more friendly to people carrying them, Pekoske said, adding that the top 10 airports for gun confiscations in 2022 were Dallas, Austin and Houston in Texas; three airports in Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta; Phoenix; and Denver.

Repercussions vary depending on local and state laws, from arrest to the the gun being confiscated.

Retired Transportation Security Administration administrator David Pekoske said gun interceptions can also slow other airport passengers waiting in line.

“It is disruptive no matter what. It is a dangerous, prohibited item and, let us face it, you should know where your gun is at, for crying out loud,” he said, according to Reuters.

Officials have placed new signage at airports to catch the attention of gun owners, but Pekoske said that signage is only part of the solution, adding that he supports the gradual raising of penalties to grab people’s attention.

In response, Aidan Johnston from gun advocacy group Gun Owners of America said fines should be lessened, as they are have not proven to be a deterrent.

“These are not bad people that are in dire need of punishment. These are people who made a mistake,” he said, as reported by Reuters.