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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 23 firearms, up from 20 in 2023, tying the record set in 2022. Six of these guns were found at Albany International Airport during routine screenings.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2024, a slight decrease from 6,737 in 2023. Despite the national decline, the Upstate New York region saw an increase, with 94 percent of the guns found being loaded.
Bart R. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Upstate New York, praised the officers for their vigilance but expressed disappointment over the continued presence of firearms at checkpoints. "Most people claim that they forgot that they had their gun with them," Johnson said. "It is careless and irresponsible to not know where your gun is."
The TSA emphasizes that responsible gun owners should always be aware of their firearms' locations and understand that guns are not allowed at airport checkpoints.