
Here’s How Many Guns TSA Found In Illinois Airports In 2024
It's not like everyone doesn't already know that it's illegal to toss a loaded firearm into your carry-on bag at the airport (or even carry it on your person), because everyone does know that.
Still, we get the year-end report from TSA each year that shows in spite of knowing it's illegal, hundreds of people bring their guns to the airport the absolute wrong way.
Is there a right way to bring guns to an airport? Yes, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
- Checked baggage only: Firearms must be in checked baggage and cannot be carried on
- Unloaded: The firearm must be unloaded and completely inaccessible
- Locked container: The firearm must be in a locked, hard-sided case
- Declaration: You must declare the firearm to the airline at check-in
- Ammunition: Ammunition must be packaged in a box designed for ammunition and included in the hard-sided case
- Airline restrictions: You should contact your airline for any limitations or fees that may apply
Follow the rules, and chances are everything will work out just fine (nothing is guaranteed), but if you don't...you've got problems.
The Good News Is That The Number Of Firearms That People Tried To Sneak Through Security In 2024 Is Down From 2023--The Bad News Is That It's Only Slightly Less
According to a release from the TSA, during 2024, the Transportation Security Administration "intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the 6,737 firearms stopped in 2023."
In 2024, TSA screened more than 904 million people, which means that the agency intercepted 7.4 firearms per million people, a decrease from 7.8 firearms per million people in 2023. Bottom line: there were about 60 fewer guns found at airports in 2024 than were in 2023.
Even Though Guns Were Brought Into Both Chicago Airports In 2024, There Were Less Than The Numbers From 2023
But, only slightly less.
At Chicago's O'Hare Airport in 2024, TSA officials discovered 78 handguns, which is up from 2023. At Midway Airport, TSA grabbed up 41 handguns, which is down from the 50 that were detected in 2023.
At ORD (O'Hare), TSA screened nearly 30.4 million departing passengers and crew in 2024, making it the fourth-busiest airport for TSA security checkpoint screening operations. TSA officers at ORD discovered firearms in carry-on luggage at a rate of 2.6 firearms per million passengers screened.
At MDW (Midway), TSA screened 7.7 million departing passengers and crew in 2024. TSA officers there discovered firearms in carry-on luggage at a rate of 5.3 firearms per million passengers screened. This calculates to a rate of one firearm discovery for every 187,474 travelers screened.
LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?
Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff
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