DES MOINES, Iowa — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said a firearm was confiscated at the Des Moines International Airport on Wednesday, marking the eighth firearm seized at the airport so far this year.
That total means the TSA has surpassed last year's total numbers of firearms confiscated, with 2023 finishing at seven.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on June 5 when the scan of a carry-on bag detected the image of a handgun on an X-ray screen. Once the image was seen, TSA officials alerted the Des Moines Police Department, who responded, confiscated the firearm and issued a citation.
The TSA said the firearm was loaded with 14 rounds in its magazine, but a round was not chambered in the handgun.
"Bringing a firearm to a security checkpoint not only slows down the individuals in that lane, but it slows everyone in line behind them down and is a security and safety concern. Guns should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage," Iowa TSA Federal Security Director John Bright said in a statement.
Nationwide, the TSA has retrieved over 1,500 firearms at airport checkpoints in the first quarter of this year alone.
With an exact number of 1,503 firearms confiscated, that averages out to 16.5 firearms a day and 7.3 firearms per million passengers with over 206 million passengers screened. Of the firearms intercepted, 93% of them were loaded.
Fines for not adhering to TSA weapons policies can result in a fine of up to $14,950.
The TSA will continue to revoke TSAPreCheck eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.
The TSA does allow passengers to travel with firearms in checked baggage under certain conditions. To travel with a firearm, the following conditions must be met:
- The firearm is unloaded
- The firearm is packed separately from ammunition
- The firearm is packed in a locked hardback case
- The firearm is declared at the airline check-in counter.
For more specifics on how to travel with a firearm, click here.