More people are bringing guns to the airport — and Florida is among the top places

Three Florida airports were among the top 10 for weapons seizures in the United States in 2019, a year in which authorities confiscated more firearms than at any other time since the formation of the TSA.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was seventh on the list, with 100 weapons confiscated. Orlando was ninth, with 96 confiscated; and Tampa 10th, with 87.

The airport with the most seizures was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta with 323, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth with 217; Denver International with 140; George Bush Intercontinental with 138; and Phoenix Sky Harbor International with 132.

Dallas Love Field Airport was in sixth place with 103 seizures, and Nashville International Airport was eighth with 97.

TSA said its agents discovered “more firearms at checkpoints nationwide in 2019 than ever before in the agency’s 18-year history.” In all, 4,432 firearms were found in carry-on bags or on passengers at checkpoints — an average of about 12.1 firearms per day.

That was an increase of about 5 percent over the 4,239 firearms detected across the nation in 2018.

Eighty-seven percent of the firearms detected last year at checkpoints were loaded, the TSA report added.

The agency noted that passengers who bring firearms to checkpoints are subject to criminal charges by police as well as civil sanctions by TSA. It added that even if the travelers have licenses to carry firearms, they cannot take them aboard airplanes.

Travelers who do have licenses can put their firearms and ammunition in checked-in luggage if they follow simple safety regulations.

TSA recommends that people become familiar with state and local laws on firearms to ensure they have the proper licenses required at their destinations.

Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers should also consult with their airline before going to the airport.

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM.