TSA statistics for 2024 reveal that over 6,000 firearms were intercepted in America

The TSA has had a successful year, making key strides in enhancing security and protecting transport systems. Through a dedicated workforce, advanced technology, and improved processes, it has stayed ahead of security threats while boosting efficiency and customer experience. Employee morale, retention, and recruitment have also significantly improved.

“Last year, we reached a historic milestone with the highest passenger volumes and the largest screening workforce in the agency’s history – an achievement that reflects the dedication, resilience and vigilance of our people across the agency,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

“In the face of record travel volumes and evolving threats to transportation, our workforce has risen to every challenge by remaining agile with unwavering professionalism, ensuring the safety of the travelling public and the security of our transportation systems.

“I am immensely proud of their commitment to our mission, and the incredible support we continue to receive in our partnerships across government and the travel industry. We look forward to continuing this progress with more technology enhancements and better policies and procedures to increase security effectiveness, efficiency and the customer experience in 2025.”

TSA’s 2024 statistics

• Screened 904 million passengers, a more than 5% increase from 2023 and an increase of 17% from 2022. Screened 494 million checked bags and over 2 billion carry-on items. TSA set an agency record on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the agency’s busiest holiday travel period on record, screening 3.1 million people.
• Trained and deployed more than 100 new explosives detection canine teams, joining more than 1,100 canine teams. Deployed canine teams to national security events such as Super Bowl LVII, Formula 1 Las Vegas and the Kentucky Derby.
• Decreased overall workforce attrition 6.7% from 2022 to 2024. Screening workforce attrition decreased 7.3% from 2022 to 2024.
• Hired over 8,760 new Transportation Security Officers and Security Support Assistants across the country. The TSA screening workforce is the largest it’s ever been.

TSA intercepts 6,678 firearms at airport security check-points in 2024

During 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the 6,737 firearms stopped in 2023. Throughout 2024, TSA managed its “Prepare, Pack, Declare” public awareness campaign to explain the steps for safely travelling with a firearm.

“One firearm at a checkpoint is too many,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It’s also costly and slows down operations.

“If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the check-in counter and transported in checked baggage.”