We know that you know better not to bring your firearm with you through security at the airport, but that doesn’t mean that everyone out there is that intelligent.
From the TSA Blog, they give us the following statistics on firearms that were found in 2013 at airports across the country:
1,813 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging nearly five firearms per day. Of those, 1,477 (81%) were loaded. Firearms were intercepted at a total of 205 airports with Atlanta (ATL) on top of the list for the most firearms intercepted (111) in 2013.
There was a 16.5% increase (257) in firearm discoveries from last year’s total of 1,556.
Here are a few examples of real items found by TSA in 2013:
Loaded Springfield Pistol
24 Pounds of Black Powder
Inert Claymore Mine
Pen Knife
Ammunition Hidden Under a Pull Handle
An Assortment of Cane Swords
Misc. Items
Left to Right / Top to Bottom: Cigarette Pack Stun Gun (MCO), Brush Dagger(OGG), Knives Concealed in Air Filter (IAH), Credit Card Knife (ABQ), Lipstick Knife (SAT), Comb Knife (DTW), Knife in Shoe (IAD), Belt Buckle Knife (EWR), Stun Gun Cell Phone (JAN), Comb Knife (CHS), Lip Stick Stun Gun (LAS), Key Knife (IAD), Razor Concealed in Cell Phone (TPA), Credit Card Knife (BWI), Lipstick Stun Gun (STL), Stun Gun Cell Phone (LAX), Knife in Shoe (SAN), Cell Phone Stun Gun (DEN)
Guns and Ammo concealed in stuffed animals
For even more, visit their Blog Post from January 2014.
