TSA Levies $52 Million In Fines To Travelers Who Brought Guns Through Airport Security | Forbes

Over the past three years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has levied more than $52 million in civil penalties against travelers caught with guns at security checkpoints, according to a TSA official. With two months still left in 2022, that figure has already topped $20 million just this year.

Getting caught with a firearm at an airport checkpoint carries a civil fine of $1,500, according to TSA guidance. If the gun is loaded – as 87% are, according to the agency – then the fine jumps to $3,000. Civil penalties can be much more onerous for repeat offenders, climbing to a potential maximum of nearly $14,000.

But gun owners are not getting the message. With the busy holiday travel season still ahead, the TSA has already caught roughly 5,000 guns this year, which puts the agency on track to break last year’s record of 5,972 firearms detected at checkpoints.

Guns, ammunition and gun parts are prohibited beyond airport security checkpoints. Passengers may legally travel with their firearms, but only if they are packed, unloaded, in a locked hard-sided case in checked luggage and declared with the airline before the flight.

Anytime a TSA officer spots a handgun on the x-ray machine, all screening stops while local law enforcement is notified. The local police then takes control of the firearm and removes the traveler and the weapon from the checkpoint.

Travelers caught with firearms at checkpoints also may be subject to criminal charges in states and local jurisdictions that have stricter gun restrictions.

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