TSA also revealed that many of the guns they discovered at checkpoints turned out to be loaded with ammunition. Granted, the amount of people traveling with firearms in this capacity has reduced since 2023. Yet, the 93% of loaded firearms discovered at airport checkpoints still matches the amount of loaded guns discovered in 2023.
By TSA standards, confiscated firearms are deemed as “loaded” if the ammunition and firearm are both within reach of the traveler. Like with firearms, passengers traveling with ammunition are required to keep it in a locked case, within a checked bag, and declare it to the gate agent of their respective airline.
What happens when Americans travel with firearms improperly?
Some people may think it’s no big deal if they put their guns in their carry-on bags or personal items. They would be mistaken, however.
When TSA discovers firearms at airport checkpoints, they inform law enforcement. Depending on the circumstances, a traveler who fails to check their firearm(s) with the airline and declare it in a checked bag may end up facing arrest or punitive fines.
