Austin airport breaks record for guns found at TSA

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s airport continues to break records, but not all are good records.

On Friday, Traffic Safety Authority (TSA) officials reported that Austin broke an all-time record for the number of guns found at the airport.

Of all airports in the United States, Austin Airport had the eighth most common unauthorized weapons found by TSA agents in 2022.

The concept should be clear and simple: you cannot bring a handgun through a TSA security checkpoint

“You’d be surprised what people bring to the airport,” said Patricia Mancha, a spokeswoman for the TSA.

Mancha said it’s still happening and agents heard many excuses.

“I forgot it was in my bag…that’s not my bag…my spouse packed my bag…” she listed.

Last year, agents at the Austin airport found more guns than ever before.

“This is the first time Austin has been in the top 10 gun airports with 150,” Mancha said.

“A comb with a knife in the hilt, an umbrella with a big old spear that can stab someone,” Mancha said.

It’s a serious problem that can have serious consequences because as soon as TSA agents find a gun, they will call the police.

“They determine based on the circumstances whether charges will be filed and what will happen. Those extenuating circumstances may include whether the person has been convicted of a crime or whether they have been caught before,” Mancha said.

TSA wants to remind everyone that there is a safe way to travel with a gun.

“Your gun must be unloaded, it must be packed in a hard case with a lock and it must be checked in with the airline and – very importantly – in your checked baggage. At no time is a gun, bullet or any other weapon part allowed in carry-on baggage,” Mancha said.

Mancha said it all goes back to the reason TSA was created in the first place.

“We want to prevent another 9/11 incident. We want to make sure everyone is safe,” she said.

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