The Transportation Security Administration intercepted a record number of guns from the travelling public last year, the agency announced Thursday, confiscating weapons in airports as passengers had their carry-on luggage inspected.
In 2015, the TSA collected 2,652 firearms, finding 80 percent of them (2,198) loaded, a press release from the agency said. The guns were confiscated at TSA checkpoints in 236 of the nation’s airports.
DFW, the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, topped the list with 153 weapons being seized. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport was second with 144 guns confiscated.
The 2,653 guns found by TSA agents represents a 20 percent increase from 2014.
Here are the top five airports with the most firearm discoveries in 2015:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: 153
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 144
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 100
- Denver International Airport: 90
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 73
The TSA screened more than 708 million passengers as they boarded planes in 2015.
>>INTERACTIVE: Here are the Top 10 airports where the most guns were intercepted by security in 2015. Drag the map to find your state. Hover over the dots for more information.
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