TSA officers stopped 96 firearms at airport in 2023
During 2023, Transportation Security Administration officers prevented 96 handguns from passing through Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) checkpoints.
That number actually shows a slight decrease of the 100 detected and stopped in 2022. Detroit passengers brought guns to the airport at rates close to the national average.
At Metro Airport, TSA screened more than 12.9 million departing passengers and crew last year. TSA officers at DTW discovered firearms in carry-on luggage at a rate of 7.4 firearms per million passengers screened.
This calculates to a rate of one firearm discovery for every 134,732 travelers screened.
“Bringing a firearm to the checkpoint presents an unnecessary risk to both passengers and airport employees,” Michigan TSA Federal Security Director Reggie Stephens said. “We urge passengers to start with an empty bag so you know with certainty that there is nothing prohibited inside.”
In 2023, TSA screened 858 million individuals, which indicates the agency intercepted 7.8 firearms per million passengers, a drop from 8.6 per million passengers in 2022, meaning TSA detected one firearm for every 127,447 travelers screened nationwide.
Although last year’s number shows a decrease from 2022 to 2023, records show that in 2019 that total number of handguns was 47, and that total was 44 in 2021.
There are specific guidelines that must be followed in order to legally travel with a firearm. Passengers who do not follow proper packing guidance for firearms in checked baggage can face an expensive civil penalty from TSA.
When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSA officers immediately contact local law enforcement. Officers remove the passenger and the firearm from the checkpoint area.
Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer can immediately make an arrest or cite the passenger.
TSA does not confiscate firearms.
In addition to law enforcement action, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to about $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they could have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.