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Saturday, February 15, 2025

TSA Detected an Increase in Guns at Checkpoints in the Baltimore/Washington Region in 2024

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 117 handguns at airport security checkpoints in the Baltimore/Washington region in 2024, a notable increase of 12 more guns than the 105 that were detected in 2023. Each of the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.

Baltimore topped the list of local airports with 47 handguns caught at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; 41 caught at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and 29 at Washington Dulles International Airport. Each of the three airports set a record for the most firearms detected in a single year.

“None of us set out to set a record for the most guns caught in a year,” said Christopher Murgia, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland. “We much prefer that travelers properly travel with firearms by packing them properly in their checked baggage and declaring their firearm to their airline for a flight.”

Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2024. In 2023, 6,737 firearms were intercepted at airport checkpoints. This was the first annual decrease in firearms detected at checkpoints other than in 2020 when COVID saw a sizable decrease in the number of passengers who flew. Of the guns caught in 2024, approximately 94 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 277 airport checkpoints nationwide.

The original announcement can be found here.

Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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