Firearms still found in Florida airports, but number drops

Despite the number of firearms found in carry-on luggage shrinking, Florida airport security still ask passengers to practice more awareness when packing.

According to Transportation Security Administration, officers at Florida airports discovered a total of 382 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in the first half of 2024, about a 1% decrease in firearms found during the same time period last year.

Statewide in 2024, TSA screened approximately 60.85 million departing travelers at Florida airports, an increase of more than 7.5% over the 2023 total.

According to TSA, the current rate for finding undeclared firearms is one for every 159,318 passengers screened.

So far this year, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has detected six guns at checkpoint this year, a number officials say is an improvement compared to the 14 found in the first six months of 2023 despite an increase of nearly of 100,000 in foot traffic.

Punta Gorda Airport, who has screened more than 600,000 departing passengers so far in 2024, has also seen an increase in undeclared guns over the years. 2023 brought in 16 weapons through TSA, with three guns found in the first six months of 2024.

Tampa International Airport placed in the top five airport to have the most firearms found so far this year with 51, with Orlando International Airport topping the charts with 70.

When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray screen, TSA immediately notifies the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler.

“What happens to the firearm and the traveler is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency,” TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell said.

Consequences for bringing a firearm through security checkpoint can range from criminal citations and arrest by local law enforcement to facing civil penalties and TSA PreCheck suspension if weapons are loaded and have accessible ammunition.

The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of nearly $15,000 per violation.

According to TSA, any type of replica firearm is also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.

A grenade-shaped hot sauce container, for instance, made an appearance through PGD Airport checkpoint last month, showing up on the security screen as a weapon rather than a spicy condiment.

As per current airport regulations, firearms can only be transported on a commercial aircraft if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage.

Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag by snapping a picture or sending a question to get real-time assistance during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.