NYC Airports Confiscated RECORD Numbers of Weapons in 2024

TSA officers at New York City airports intercepted a record number of firearms in 2024, highlighting ongoing security concerns in air travel.

At a Glance

  • Over 6,600 guns were intercepted by TSA agents at airports nationwide in 2024
  • 94% of firearms found were loaded
  • 41 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Liberty airports
  • Newark Liberty set a record with 21 guns detected at security checkpoints
  • Firearms are not allowed on airplanes and must be properly stored in checked baggage

Record-Breaking Firearm Interceptions

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a staggering number of firearms intercepted at airport checkpoints across the United States in 2024. TSA officers discovered 6,678 guns at 277 U.S. airports, with the vast majority – about 94% – of these firearms being loaded. This figure represents a slight decrease from the 6,737 firearms found in 2023, but still raises significant concerns about air travel safety.

The TSA screened over 904 million people last year, which equates to 7.4 firearms intercepted per million passengers. While the national trend shows a marginal decrease, New York City airports experienced a notable surge in firearm detections, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport.

In the New York City area, a total of 41 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark Liberty airports. Newark Liberty set a concerning record with 21 guns detected at security checkpoints, marking the highest number of interceptions for a single year at this airport.

“The TSA team at Newark set a record for the most guns intercepted at our checkpoints in a single year. It is not a record that we seek to set. We would much rather see fewer people bring their guns to our checkpoints,” Thomas Carter said.

Conversely, JFK airport showed improvement in this area. John Essig noted, “We saw a decrease in the number of firearms that people brought to our checkpoints from 15 guns in 2023 to 10 in 2024. We see that as a positive sign that more travelers who want to transport their firearms are doing so properly.”

Nationwide Trends and Hotspots

While New York City airports saw increased firearm detections, other major airports across the country continued to lead in the number of intercepted firearms. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport reported the highest number of firearm discoveries at their checkpoints.

When an undeclared firearm is detected at a checkpoint, local law enforcement is immediately contacted to remove both the individual and the firearm from the area. Penalties for carrying undeclared firearms can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to arrests, depending on state laws and the discretion of law enforcement agencies.

The TSA continues to emphasize the importance of following proper procedures for transporting firearms during air travel. Firearms are strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage, even for individuals with concealed weapon permits. The correct method for transporting firearms involves declaring them at the airline check-in counter and storing them in checked baggage in the cargo hold.