As of June 30, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has intercepted 3,251 firearms at various security checkpoints. This is an increase from the first half of 2022 when Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) stopped 3,053 firearms at security checkpoints of which more than 86% were loaded.

In the first five days of July, TSOs nationwide intercepted 90 additional firearms bringing the total through July 5 to 3,341. The agency is expected to surpass last year’s record of 6,542 firearm interceptions.

The number of firearm catches during the first half of 2023 represents a 6% increase over the same period in 2022. However, over the same period, passenger volume at checkpoints increased 15%, showing the rate at which passengers brought firearms to airport checkpoints declined in 2023.