This man stands between you and the passenger sitting next to you carrying a gun. Mark Lennihan/AP
TSA Does Its Job, Finds More Guns in Carry-ons Than Ever Before
The agency's employees found 2,212 firearms in 2014. Most were loaded.
The Transportation Security Administration posted its 2014 year in review on its blog Friday and in it, the agency announced it had discovered more than 2,000 firearms in carry-on luggage during the year, in over 224 airports.
The 2,212 firearms were not all loaded, but the blog post noted that "most" were. The number is a 22 percent increase from the 1,813 firearms found in 2013. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was the No. 1 American airport for firearms discoveries, with 120 uncovered last year. Two other Texas airports were in the top 10. Florida also had three airports on the list.
All of the airports in the top 10 were in states with conceal carry laws. In addition to the 2,212 guns discovered in carry-on bags, TSA agents found scores of other dangerous weapons.
Other dangerous items discovered last year include: a fireworks making kit, fireworks, black powder pellets, live flash bang grenades, propane, a flare gun, seal deterrent, M-1000 fireworks, over 700 stun guns and live smoke grenades.
In Arizona's Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, an 8.5 inch knife was discovered in an enchilada, which brings up the question of why anyone would bring an enchilada on a plane.
At Los Angeles International Airport -- where TSA agents are no stranger to dangerous weapons -- an Mk 2 hand grenade was discovered in a carry-on bag.
TSA agents get a lot of flack from people for the policies they enforce , but there is definitely a safety issue here. Over 2,000 firearms means a lot of potential air passengers strapped up and ready to shoot. The 700 stun guns found are a huge safety threat. The unionized agents work a dangerous job and the organization's year in review backs it up.
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