Houston ranks among top airports for guns in carry-on items
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration says airports in Texas are among the top spots in the nation when it comes to weapons seized in carry-on items.
"I don't really understand why anybody would do that," said airport traveler Colin Parker. "It's pretty common sense not to put a gun in your bag."
New data from the TSA show the volume of pistols found packed in carry-ons makes Texas the number one state for weapons seizures at airports. The agency says about a quarter of the nearly 3,400 weapons seized from luggage in the last two years came from airports in the Lone Star State, including Bush Intercontinental and Houston Hobby.
"As a traveler, I'm unfortunately not surprised by that," said traveler Steven Aldridge. "People tend to forget that their gun rights don't extend to airline travel as well as other state regulatory structuring."
The TSA data shows the 120 weapons seized at Bush Intercontinental over the past two years makes it among the top three airports agents found and firearms in carry-on bags. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson is number one. Dallas-Fort Worth's airport ranked second for firearm seizures nationwide.
"I'm really shocked that they are found in carry ons," said traveler Sallie McAdoo. "It's just shocking that people think bringing them in the carry-on, even if they forget it's in there, to even consider putting it into the carry-on and bringing it on is just crazy to me."
The TSA says it screens approximately 1.8 million passengers and their luggage every day. The agency says it takes the discovery of prohibited items seriously and urges all passengers to check the contents of their bags before leaving home to ensure they are not bringing these items to the airport. Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, but they can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline.
The TSA says it alerts law enforcement when a firearm is intercepted at a checkpoint. Law enforcement then takes possession of the weapon, interviews the passenger, and determines any criminal charges. The TSA does has have the ability to impose a civil penalty. Fines can range from $250 up to $11,000 per incident.
Texas checkpoint firearm totals (2013):
- Dallas/Fort Worth: 96
- Bush Intercontinental: 68
- San Antonio: 37
- Dallas Love Field: 35
- Houston Hobby: 30
