Record number of firearms discovered by TSA at Denver International Airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Denver International Airport (DIA) discovered a record-breaking 141 firearms in carry-on luggage in 2021, the administration announced in a press release on Tuesday. This is the highest number of firearms found by TSA at DIA over the course of a year.
“Every one of these firearms was discovered during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on property. Nationwide last year, TSA officers found 5,972 firearms at 268 different airports,” the release said.
DIA finished the year with the sixth-most firearm discoveries in the county, preceding Nashville International Airport (5th), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (1st).
“As the data suggests, travelers bringing firearms in carry-on luggage is not new and we have now reached an unacceptable level of carelessness by gun owners. Simply stated, one gun in carry-on luggage is one too many,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Colorado Larry Nau in the release.
“We are asking all gun owners to take a few minutes to reacquaint yourself with the procedures for traveling with firearms and the importance of being aware of everything you transport in your carry-on luggage before you come to the airport,” he said.
Gun owners are allowed to travel with their firearms if the weapon is fully unloaded, in a hard-sided case, and inside their checked luggage, TSA rules state.
Violating TSA rules regarding firearms can can have serious consequences, including criminal citations.
“Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get realtime assistance daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST,” the release said.
For more information on traveling with firearms visit the TSA website, here.
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