There is a big “oops” factor happing this year among travelers going through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, as a new record has been set—with two months remaining in the year—for the number of guns confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration.
Seattle’s KOMO News—the local ABC affiliate—is reporting that TSA officials have confiscated 101 guns already this year, compared to 97 firearms seized by this time in 2023. On Monday, two guns were discovered in luggage, a .40-caliber Springfield SC9 pistol in a carry-on bag belonging to someone headed to Maui, and a few hours later, a Makarov 9mm pistol was taken from a passenger headed to Yakima.
According to KIRO Eyewitness News—the CBS affiliate in Seattle—both pistols were loaded.
It is widely known that firearms may not be carried aboard an aircraft in carry-on luggage. Guns must be declared at the ticket counter, be unloaded and locked inside of checked baggage. These rules have been in place for decades.
As noted by KOMO, “In addition to potential criminal citations for bringing a firearm in carry-on luggage, TSA can levy a civil penalty against the traveler of up to $14,950.”
Coincidentally, as a KOMO reporter was working on the story, another traveler identified as Amy Vining was interviewed, and just happened to be traveling with a firearm in her checked luggage. She said people “just need to follow the rules.”
There are a variety of lockable hard-sided cases available for travelers with guns. They must be concealed in larger luggage once declared, and they are checked by TSA and sent through with other checked baggage.
The KOMO report noted that statistically, travelers at Sea-Tac are getting sloppier. More guns have already been confiscated this year than in all of 2018 and 2019. KIRO said more than 5,600 firearms have been “detected” this year at airports across the country, and that 82 percent of all the guns discovered so far this year were loaded.
It is imperative for travelers to make sure they are not carrying firearms in their carry-on bags. It is their responsibility. The rules apply to replica and toy firearms.
As noted by KIRO, the TSA “also recommends travelers check with their airline before their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements” and that “before traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they comply with local and state laws.”
