Disclaimer: This article was written for informational purposes only.
TSA officers at security checkpoints across the state of Florida already have intercepted 50 firearms so far this year.
Florida continued to make the top 10 nationwide list for firearms intercepted at airport checkpoints during 2023. The state's top three airports were Orlando International Airport (MCO) with 164 firearms intercepted by TSA officers, Tampa International (TPA) with 144, and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with 135.
Causing alarm was that many were loaded with ammunition chambered.
Worrisome for Orlando's passengers is the number of people heading to Disney World. In 2021, on the heels of being closed for four months for pandemic safety measures, Disney saw a rise in guests attempting to enter their parks with a firearm.
Known as a family-friendly excursion, one person claimed their six-year-old was in charge of watching their loaded gun. Another Disney guest arrived with two handguns and marijuana in a diaper bag.
The excuses vary, with many gun owners claiming that they forgot a firearm was on them or packed. Len Testa, co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, states, “If you don’t know where it is all the time, should you really even have a gun? That just seems like one of the responsible things to gun ownership: To know where it is all the time.”
TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz makes it clear.
“An accidental discharge could result in tragedy. Every passenger bears the responsibility of knowing exactly where their firearm is before entering the federal security checkpoint and that must not be on their person or in their carry-on.”
Passengers face arrest or are issued notices to appear in court. In addition to penalties cited by law enforcement, a TSA civil penalty can reach nearly $15,000. If applicable, the individual loses privileges of the TSA PreCheck program.
“If you are going to travel with your firearm it must be in your checked bag, but be sure you know exactly what the firearm laws are on each side of your trip or you may be heading to jail instead of to your vacation or business trip,” Koshetz added. “Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.”
Firearms intercepted for the year in Florida airports were:
1-Orlando International Airport (MCO) — 164 firearms intercepted
2-Tampa International (TPA) — 144
3-Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) — 135
4-Miami International Airport (MIA) — 77
5-Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) — 73
6-Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) — 41
7-Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) — 35
8-Pensacola International Airport (PNS) — 27
9-Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) — 20
10-Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) —18
TSA
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It has authority over the security of transportation systems connecting to, and within, the United States.
No firearms in carry-ons. Firearms must be in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared to the airline at check-in.
Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, confirm if it’s allowed: use the “What Can I Bring?” link on TSA.gov.
Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID card readily available.
Help is available. Get live assistance: tweet questions to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or use Facebook Messenger. Call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
Enroll now in TSA PreCheck.
Traveling with a licensed firearm may be legal if the weapon is properly packed according to TSA guidelines and stored in checked baggage only.
TSA requires firearms to be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared to the airline when checking the bag.
Possessing a concealed carry permit or traveling to or from a constitutional carry jurisdiction does not override the security checkpoint policies. All firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints. No guns are acceptable in the passenger cabin of a plane.
Important reminder: The TSA doesn't confiscate firearms. Local law enforcement takes possession. The police have the authority to make an arrest or cite the offender. Additionally, the TSA can impose a civil penalty of up to almost $15,000.
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