Nearly 4,000 guns discovered at airports in 2017
As expected the Transportation Security Administration says 2017 was another record year for firearms discovered at the nation’s airports.
TSA agents found 3,957 guns in carry-on bags at airport checkpoints, which is almost a five-fold increase on a decade ago.
It works out at nearly 11 weapons seized every day.
The agency found guns at 239 different airports and said 84% of those seized were loaded and 1,378 had a round in the chamber.
More guns were discovered at the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport than anywhere else, with 245, followed by 211 at Dallas/Fort Worth and 142 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Along with the 16% increase in firearms, the agency confiscated ‘thousands upon thousands’ of sharp and potentially dangerous items as well as lots of gunpowder and live grenades.
There were inert items recovered too, which ranged from a replica suicide vest to fake grenades and other explosive devices.
"When being viewed on the X-ray monitor, we don’t know if these are real or inert until TSA explosive experts are called to the scene. Inert grenades can lead to closed terminals and checkpoints, which can often result in costly canceled or delayed flights," the agency said in a statement.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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