WASHINGTON (WFXR) – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says officers stopped 98 handguns at Virginia airport security checkpoints in 2021 – a new record and a large jump from the 55 handguns caught the previous year.
All of the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Below is a listing of the number of firearms caught by TSA officers in the last six years.
| Airport | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Ronald Reagan Washington Nat’l (DCA) | 19 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 30 |
| Norfolk Int’l (ORF) | 14 | 10 | 21 | 15 | 12 | 23 |
| Richmond Int’l (RIC) | 10 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 20 |
| Washington Dulles Int’l (IAD) | 24 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 7 | 19 |
| Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (ROA) | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lynchburg Regional (LYH) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional (CHO) | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Newport News-Williamsburg Regional (PHF) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 79 | 71 | 82 | 74 | 55 | 98 |
Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement – even civil penalties from the TSA.
Even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane.
Travelers who do have a concealed weapon permit may legally travel with a firearm but it must be in their checked baggage if they follow a few simple guidelines.
Across the country, the top 10 international airports that TSA checkpoint officers captured firearms at include:
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Int’l (ATL) – 507
- Dallas-Fort Worth Int’l (DFW) – 317
- Houston George Bush Int’l (IAH) – 245
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l (PHX) – 196
- Nashville Int’l (BNA)- 163
- Denver Int’l (DEN) – 141
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l (FLL) – 128
- Orlando Int’l (MCO) – 124
- New Orleans Louis Armstrong Int’l (MSY) – 119
- Salt Lake City Int’l (SLC) – 115
Since 2008, the numbers of guns caught by TSA officers have largely climbed with 2020 seeing a lower number, likely due to fewer travelers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Year | Nationwide Totals |
| 2021 | 5,972 |
| 2020 | 3,257 |
| 2019 | 4,432 |
| 2018 | 4,239 |
| 2017 | 3,957 |
| 2016 | 3,391 |
| 2015 | 2,653 |
| 2014 | 2,212 |
| 2013 | 1,813 |
| 2012 | 1,556 |
| 2011 | 1,320 |
| 2010 | 1,123 |
| 2009 | 976 |
| 2008 | 926 |
Air travelers may use the “What Can I Bring?” tool on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers may also tweet or message @AskTSA on Twitter if they have any questions.
