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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported an increase in the number of guns intercepted at Upstate New York airports in 2024. TSA officers seized a total of 23 firearms, marking a rise from the 20 confiscated in 2023 and tying the record set in 2022. Of these, five guns were discovered at Syracuse Hancock International Airport during routine screenings.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2024, a slight decrease from the 6,737 intercepted in 2023. Despite the national decrease, the Upstate New York region saw an uptick in firearm interceptions. Approximately 94 percent of the guns caught in 2024 were loaded.
Bart R. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Upstate New York, commended the officers for their vigilance and dedication to ensuring traveler safety. He emphasized the importance of responsible gun ownership, stating, "It is careless and irresponsible to not know where your gun is. Responsible gun owners know where their gun is at all times. And they know not to bring it to an airport checkpoint."
The TSA continues to remind travelers that firearms are not permitted at airport checkpoints and urges gun owners to be mindful of their belongings when traveling. For more information, visit the official TSA website.