The weapons were found at Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Ontario International Airport. Eighty-one firearms were found at LAX, five more than last year.
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Transportation Security Administration officials and law enforcement held a news conference at LAX Wednesday morning warning gun owners about the risks of being found with weapons at security checkpoints.
"Travelers should know that TSA can levy a civil penalty for bringing a firearm to a security checkpoint," TSA Federal Security Director Jason Pantages said. "The amount of the penalty, which can be as high as $15,000, depends on whether the firearm was loaded. And 87% of the firearms discovered here at LAX are loaded."
TSA confiscated 6,737 guns at airport security checkpoints nationwide in 2023 and about 93% of them were loaded, according to the agency. The number of firearms seized is the highest recorded and surpasses last year's total of 6,542.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the nation's busiest airfields, saw the most, with 451.
"Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on baggage," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. "Passengers are only allowed to travel with an unloaded firearm, and only if they pack it properly in a locked, hard-sided case in their checked baggage and first declare it to the airline at the check-in counter."
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In addition to the possible TSA civil citation, people could be convicted of a misdemeanor for bringing a weapon to an airport security checkpoint. Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Cecil Rhambo said people who are convicted in such cases could be sent to a one-year diversionary program.
"After a year, the owner of the firearm is eligible to retrieve the weapon as long as they remain clear from any disqualifying issues such as a restraining order, some mental health issues or domestic violence incidents," he said.
City News Service contributed to this report.