Gun stops set new U.S. record in ’16

Atlanta airport finds 198; 83% seized in U.S. are loaded, TSA says.

Georgia beats Texas when it comes to guns caught at airport security checkpoints.

Hartsfield-Jackson International had the most guns detected at checkpoints of any airport in the country in 2016, with 198 firearms discovered last year.

That put Atlanta just ahead of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which had 192 guns found at airport security checkpoints.

In third place was Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with 128 guns caught, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The number in Atlanta was a new record for the airport, exceeding the 144 guns caught in 2015. Hartsfield-Jackson had topped that mark by October.

Those caught with a gun at a checkpoint in Atlanta are subject to up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine. They also could face a TSA civil penalty of up to $7,500.

The increase in gun discoveries comes as more people fly, and more carry guns.

Hartsfield-Jackson is the world’s busiest airport, but most are connecting and do not go through security. Other airports have more passengers passing through security checkpoints.

Across the country, a total of 3,391 guns were discovered in carry-on bags, an average of nine per day, the TSA said. That’s also a record, up 28 percent from 2,653 guns in 2015.

Of the guns caught at airport security checkpoints nationally, 83 percent are loaded, according to the TSA. Also caught at TSA checkpoints are inert grenades, sword canes, knives and other prohibited items.