The TSA at Boise Airport has discovered a record number of firearms in carry-on bags this year, with 43 firearms detected as of October 27, surpassing the 42 firearms detected in all of 2023. This uptick mirrors a growing nationwide trend of passengers, most often, inadvertently bringing firearms to airport checkpoints. Just days ago, a similar incident occurred at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, where a Virginia Beach man was detained after TSA officers found his 9mm handgun in his carry-on bag at a checkpoint.

Boise Airport’s discovery of 43 firearms in travelers’ carry-ons marks more than double the number from five years ago, signaling a significant increase even as airport passenger traffic reaches new highs. Nationally, TSA discovered more than 5,400 firearms at checkpoints this year, a slight decrease from the same period in 2023, when an all-time high of 6,737 firearms were confiscated from airport security lines. Most of these, around 93%, were loaded—a concerning statistic highlighting potential safety risks at checkpoints for TSA agents as well as passengers. The TSA noted that a common reason travelers give for carrying a firearm in their carry-on bag is simply “forgetting” their firearms were in there. Experts also suggest increased firearm ownership, increased flying among Americans and state laws that make it easier for citizens to carry firearms so that it becomes a more natural part of their daily lives as contributing factors. 

A look at Norfolk’s numbers show a marked increase in firearms discoveries since the pandemic with 12 being discovered in 2020 (the year many flights were curtailed and lockdowns kept people inside) and jumping to 23 in 2021, 27 in 2022, 29 in 2023 and 33 so far this year with two months left to go. I fortunately, have not been one of them. 

The TSA continues to stress the strict guidelines for travelers carrying firearms; a no brainer really for most people: You can’t carry a gun, loaded or unloaded, on a plane, but you can transport it in your checked baggage if properly stored and declared. All firearms must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case and checked at the ticket counter rather than brought to security checkpoints. Travelers found with firearms at checkpoints face civil penalties of up to $15,000, possible arrest, as occurred to the man recently in Norfolk, and the suspension of Trusted Traveler and TSA PreCheck privileges. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, including permanent disqualification from TSA PreCheck.

To avoid these costly and potentially dangerous mistakes, gun-owning travelers should use designated bags for travel to prevent inadvertently carrying firearms or ammunition to the airport. Try not to fly with the same bags you use to carry gear and guns to the range or when traveling by vehicle. Additionally, passengers can use resources like TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” website or app to clarify which items are permitted. For more comprehensive information on traveling with firearms, travelers are encouraged to review TSA’s guidelines on its official website.

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23 COMMENTS

  1. And not a single one of these 43 people would’ve caused any problems on the flight or had any nefarious purposes. This is nothing but security Theatre.

    • Yep this is just a big Pfffft.
      This TSA clowns love it when somebody slips up and forgets.
      They get to make a big show, spread their feathers and strut like a peacock, and crow about how they stopped Osama Bin Laden Jr.
      Theatre is the correct word.

  2. When Kamala is Queen she is really going to cut down on all these security measures and the money spent running them. No guns, no need for the gun checks. No borders no reason for border security.I can see Queen Kamala doing much more to America then our beloved President Joseph Biden has done.
    Happy Happy Joy Joy

  3. Much like forgetting you have a kid in a car seat…forgetting you have a firearm and walking into a TSA checkpoint is just a demonstration of an advanced level of stupid.

    If you do either…you probably aren’t responsible enough to have either.

    • In 1904 there were no laws against firearms on aircraft.
      Bruen is my friend, Not! Carry…carry everywhere and fuck those that would try to stop you. Our rights come from God JimB, try to stop him.

  4. I’d love to know the number of guns that were found in possession of people that were actually prohibited people. My guess is very few. We’re catching people that forget they’ve got a gun in such and such a bag, not hijackers or potential hijackers.

    I got nothing to back that up, but still, its my suspicion.

  5. BREAKING NEWS: FEDERAL APPEALS COURT DISMISSES 2A CHALLENGE (due to challenge being moot because lower court had already granted injunction – dismissed the appeal, not the case and case can still proceed ’cause not dismissed).

    The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit has dismissed an appeal involving the New Mexico Governor’s “Sensitive Place” Executive Order. Mark Smith, Four Boxes Diner, discusses the appeal’s dismissal.

    h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjnxGxZ90JU

  6. BREAKING NEWS TODAY: SCOTUS SPANKS BIDEN’S DOJ.

    The US Supreme Court today issued a decision staying a lower court injunction, which had required Virginia to put non-American citizens back on the state’s voting rolls. Mark Smith, Four Boxes Diner, discusses.

    h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6yiOFBoLlY

  7. (Biden-Harris administration authorized military) Lethal Force Against AMERICANS… Now Health Insurance Declare They WON’T COVER IT.

    h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJIv0vNReek

    • (video referenced in video above).

      (Biden-Harris administration) Military Authorized To Use LETHAL FORCE To “ASSIST” Civilian Police In Civil Unrest.

      h ttps://www.youtube.com/live/mJ1Kuoi4yTc

    • Biden & Harris Authorize Military To Use Lethal Force On Americans!!

      h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvLCzT6Tdnc

  8. How hard can it be to CHECK your bag before packing? And not be “That Person”.

    And not use a range-day bag for traveling on airplanes.

  9. I don’t get it. Not that I wouldn’t like to be able to travel with my carry piece, carry on, around the country but … How in the heck does someone just forget that kind of “tool” in their bags? People are so dumb it hurts.

  10. I keep a separate bag for airline flight that NEVER has or HAD a gun or ammo in it. Don’t use your hunting pack. Never keep your carry-on bag in your reloading area or use it to carry powder or primers either. Years ago my old boss tested positive for explosive residue due to this. He was eventually let through after a thorough search of all his luggage and his explanation (he has an FFL too) but he missed his flights. I also know someone who forgot his LCP in his carry on. He was fined $5,000 and a lifetime ban from TSA Pre Check. I was surprised though the Airport police did give him his gun back 9 months later (this was at a smaller airport in a gun friendly state). I told him he now owns the most expensive LCP ever.

  11. “Years ago my old boss tested positive for explosive residue due to this.”

    You could test positive for that just by going to the range and wearing the same jeans to the airport the next day.

    You could test positive for that just by going to the range and wearing the same baseball cap to the airport the next day.

    Or the same hoodie.

    It seems like there are more ways you can get snagged than not.

    • Or, if you really had a bone to pick with someone, AND penchant for revenge, stuff a few granules of 4895 in the air vents of someones’ laptop…

      • Of course, if it ever got traced back to you, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, either..

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