Passengers carrying guns through US airports triple despite fewer people travelling
The number of passengers travelling through US airports with guns in their carry on luggage has tripled in July 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that its officers detected 15.3 guns per million people last month, compared to 5.1 guns per million people screened during July 2019.
This is a staggering increase given that the agency screened 75 per cent fewer passengers in July this year due to coronavirus.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said: ”Even more concerning is that 80 per cent of the firearms coming into the checkpoint are loaded and it’s just an accident waiting to happen.
“Travellers need to know that if they bring a gun to the security checkpoint, regardless of whether it is in a handbag, knapsack, roller-bag or strapped to their belt, it will be an inconvenient and expensive mistake on their part.”
In the US, passengers are prohibited from taking firearms into the airport or into plane cabins. Those who are found with guns on them, whether accidental or not, will be fined.
At the moment the penalty starts from $2,050 (£1,567) for an unloaded gun, $4,100 (£3,135) for a loaded gun, and can go upwards of $10,250 (£7,837) per offence.
Passengers are, however, permitted to travel with firearms if it’s in checked luggage.
According to the TSA: “Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage, if they are properly packaged and declared at check-in with the airline.
“Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames, receivers, clips and magazines are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked.”
The US has recently lifted its global travel advisory warning its citizens not to travel. However, the UK remains on the list of “high risk” destinations.
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