TSA intercepts more than 100 firearms at Denver airport

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Since the start of the year, the Transportation Security Administration stopped over 5,000 firearms at airport security checkpoints nationwide, and Denver International Airport travelers remain one of the biggest contributors.

TSA said it finds firearms at a rate of about 18-19 a day across the nation, most of them loaded. At DIA specifically, since the start of 2024, TSA stopped 127 firearms in carry-on luggage during X-ray screenings.

According to a TSA spokesperson, DIA continues to rank sixth nationwide with the most firearms stopped at security checkpoints — right behind Nashville International Airport with 156 firearms and ahead of Orlando International Airport with 119.

But believe it or not, these numbers are trending downward.

From July through September 2023, TSA stopped 1,800 firearms nationwide. This year, even though travelers increased by 10 million, TSA stopped 1,700 at checkpoints during that same time period — about 100 less than last year.

Numbers at DIA are trending down as well. TSA said that by this time last year, officers had discovered 136 firearms, about 10 more than this year.

It’s not prohibited to travel with a gun, but there’s a right and wrong way to do it.

TSA said that if a passenger brings a firearm to the security checkpoint with them or in their carry-on luggage, TSA will contact local law enforcement. Depending on local laws, the passenger may be arrested, issued a citation and potentially a penalty of up to $15,000.

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