"Forgot to Bring It" - Record Number of Firearms Detected at US Airport Security Checkpoints

6,301 Firearms Found in Bags... 10% Increase Compared to Previous Year
Reasons for the Surge in New Gun Owners During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Maximum Fine Raised to 20 Million Won, 'Pre-Check' Qualification Also Revoked

There is a sign warning about carrying firearms at the security checkpoint of Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport in Texas, USA. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Sung-wook] This year, the number of firearms confiscated at security checkpoints in U.S. airports reached an all-time high. Accordingly, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to increase fines for violations of firearm carry-on regulations.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 17th (local time), TSA has detected 6,301 firearms in carry-on bags and other items at security checkpoints so far this year, 88% of which were loaded with ammunition. The number of firearms confiscated has steadily increased over the past decade. It rose from 1,549 in 2012 to 5,972 last year, and this year it is expected to increase by about 10% to approximately 6,600 firearms by the end of the year.

In the U.S., gun possession laws vary by location, but carrying firearms on board is only allowed if the firearm is locked in a hard case and transported as checked baggage, and passengers must notify the airline of this in advance. Even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit, carrying a firearm in a carry-on bag at airport security checkpoints is strictly prohibited. According to TSA, the most common reasons given for bringing firearms to the checkpoint were "forgot it was there" and "it was in luggage packed by someone else."

The surge in firearm confiscations is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more time spent at home and a growing awareness of the need for personal safety, the number of new gun owners has sharply increased. From January 2020 to April last year, during the height of the pandemic, over 5 million adults purchased their first firearm. This is a significant increase from about 2.4 million in 2019, before the pandemic. Around the same time, distrust in law enforcement following the George Floyd incident also contributed to increased gun sales.

Sheldon Jacobson, a professor at the University of Illinois, explained, "Many people flying for the first time in a while after the COVID-19 pandemic likely were not familiar with the regulations regarding firearms on board," adding, "The increase in first-time gun owners during the pandemic is also an important factor."

Earlier this year, during a U.S. congressional hearing, some politicians and airport officials proposed measures such as increasing fines and providing firearm safety education for violators to address this issue. They stated that "the maximum fines are rarely imposed on violators, so they do not serve as a deterrent." However, others argued that most passengers caught simply forgot they had their firearms, and that higher fines would only be a temporary fix.

Nevertheless, as violations of firearm carry-on regulations continue to rise, TSA has decided to raise the maximum fine from $13,910 to $14,950 (approximately 20 million KRW). When firearms are found, TSA checks whether they are stolen or linked to previous crimes, and depending on the case, the firearm may be confiscated, and the individual may be arrested under state or local laws. Additionally, passengers considered low risk may have their eligibility for TSA's expedited security screening program, PreCheck, revoked for at least five years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.