Record Number Of Guns Collected At Atlanta Airport Checkpoints

ATLANTA – More than 290 weapons have been recovered so far this year at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, breaking a previous national record. Federal authorities are reminding airline travelers to make sure they aren’t packing weapons in carry-on bags before leaving home as the holiday travel season approaches.

“As of November 12, 2018, 293 weapons have been recovered at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, of which 248 were found in the TSA passenger security lines, while 45 firearms were discovered in checked baggage,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Most passengers simply forget they have a gun in their possession until they reach the airport checkpoint. Unfortunately, the oversight is still a violation of the law.”

“The message is clearly not hitting the mark,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Despite the fact that our enforcement policies have become more strict, incidents of guns detected at checkpoints have increased substantially. Don’t let your holiday travel plans be significantly disrupted for a simple mistake.”

“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has led the nation in firearms detected by Transportation Security Officers at security checkpoints five of the last six years, and has already surpassed last year’s national record of 245,” said Mary Leftridge Byrd, TSA Federal Security Director for Atlanta. “We are urging passengers to thoroughly check their personal belongings for prohibited items like firearms, especially in carry-on bags, before leaving to the airport.”

Travelers who do not comply with firearm laws can expect a delay in their travel plans. Violators with a valid weapons permit will have their firearm confiscated and issued a federal citation. They will also be required to appear in court and will be subject to a $130 fine. Violators without a valid weapons permit will be arrested, charged and may face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. In addition, offenders are also subject to civil penalties levied by the TSA that can range between $2,000 to $13,000 per violation.

Travelers are advised to become familiar with TSA’s policy for transporting their guns prior to traveling to the airport, as firearms are permitted in checked baggage. (See TSA’s policy here).

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