By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The TSA is on pace to seize a record-high number of firearms this year, saying the increase is due to an increase in air travelers.
“While it’s impossible to ascertain an exact, scientific reason for the increase, there does seem to be a correlation between the increase in the number of firearms caught and the increase in passenger volume,” TSA spokesman Mike England told the Washington Examiner. “2016 was a record year for passenger volume and the industry is on pace to break that record in 2017. The same can be said for TSA firearm catches.”
Over the past decade, the seizure of loaded and unloaded guns has increased every year. In 2007, 803 guns were seized at airport checkpoints. That number increased to 2,212 in 2014, 2,653 in 2015 and 3,391 in 2016.
With nearly three months left in the year, the TSA has documented the confiscation of 3,053 firearms.
