<p>The US airport security screening staff crisis is dragging on, as lawmakers could not agree on a budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which funds the Transportation Security Administration, responsible for the checks at hundreds of US airports. DHS has been without full funding since 14 February, creating a weeks-long gap that led to many TSA staff quitting or not reporting to work. Amid the Iran war, airports could become vulnerable to targeting by state or non-state actors.&nbsp;</p><h2>Why security screenings by TSA is important for US airports</h2><p>TSA, created after the 9/11 terror attacks, checks every passenger and bag before flights. Its main mandate is to stop attacks on planes and airports, and without checks, a passenger cannot fly.</p><p>But now, Congress gridlock over DHS funding is affecting TSA shortages. Democrats and Republicans are unable to agree on a funding deal for DHS, and by implication, TSA.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-s-going-on-at-newark-airport-flight-operations-stopped-after-control-tower-evacuation-1774269880676">What’s going on at Newark airport? Flight operations stopped after control tower evacuation</a></p><h2>Funding gridlock over ICE is affecting entire DHS budget</h2><p>The disputes involve immigration enforcement policies and ICE funding. Democrats refuse to approve money for DHS without reforms, while Republicans tie DHS funding to strict immigration rules. Both sides are digging in, even as ICE has now been deployed at some airports. President Donald Trump even threatened to deploy the National Guard at airports.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-deploys-ice-agents-to-14-airports-amid-travel-chaos-wion-1774405765845/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-deploys-ice-agents-to-14-airports-amid-travel-chaos-wion-1774405765845/embed</a></p><h2>TSA officers are 'essential' to security, but many are working without pay</h2><p>Many TSA officers are staying away, and several of those at airports are working without pay. Since they are classified as “essential”, TSA officers must show up for work, pay or no pay. According to some reports, up to 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on a single day.</p><p>More than 360 resigned since the shutdown began. Many of them are missing out on paying rents and face evictions, while others are doing second jobs to pay bills.</p><h2>Screening lines grow at airports; ICE stand‑ins cannot fill gaps</h2><p>Wait times at some airports, including Atlanta and Houston, are up to four hours, as staffing gaps have directly led to slow screening lines.</p><p>Small airports could partially close if screening fails, given that it is mandatory for flying.</p><p>ICE agents are not specifically trained in TSA-level security screening. They cannot operate X-ray machines or interpret explosive detection results. At best, they can check IDs and immigration status of passengers.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aviation-crisis-tsa-unpaid-donald-trump-proposes-ice-takeover-of-airport-security-1774119162561">Aviation crisis: TSA unpaid, Donald Trump proposes ICE takeover of airport security</a></p><h2>American airports are vulnerable to security breaches right now</h2><p>The combination of untrained personnel, lesser-trained screeners from TSA, and fears over ICE agents could expose airports to serious security concerns even as global tensions rise due to the Iran war.</p><p>Intelligence agencies have warned of attempts to target US interests abroad and at home. Airports are very symbolic and practical targets, going by past experience. Any attack could potentially cause mass casualties, disrupt commerce, and shatter public confidence.</p><p>Long lines mean less focus on security, and fewer trained eyes mean a greater risk of dangerous items slipping through. Unpaid workers under stress are more likely to make errors.</p><h2>TSA chief issues warning</h2><p>The acting TSA chief, Ha Nguyen McNeill, told Congress that budget uncertainty will “pose significant challenges” to security operations.</p><p>The political fights in Washington over funding DHS could have dire consequences on the front lines of national security.</p><p>An unfunded DHS and a depleted TSA can expose the homeland of America to threats from enemies who are constantly watching for weaknesses. This risk of airports becoming sitting ducks rises at a time when adversaries have the intent to strike the mainland.</p><p>It is time for US lawmakers to reach a DHS funding deal, or airport security may worsen, as does the risk to American travellers and the nation itself.</p>

US airport security is under strain as TSA staff work without pay amid DHS funding deadlock amid global tensions. Delays, resignations, and ICE stand-ins heighten risks, leaving airports vulnerable to security breaches amid Iran war 

The US airport security screening staff crisis is dragging on, as lawmakers could not agree on a budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which funds the Transportation Security Administration, responsible for the checks at hundreds of US airports. DHS has been without full funding since 14 February, creating a weeks-long gap that led to many TSA staff quitting or not reporting to work. Amid the Iran war, airports could become vulnerable to targeting by state or non-state actors. Why security screenings by TSA is important for US airports TSA, created after the 9/11 terror attacks, checks every passenger and bag before flights. Its main mandate is to stop attacks on planes and airports, and without checks, a passenger cannot fly. But now, Congress gridlock over DHS funding is affecting TSA shortages. Democrats and Republicans are unable to agree on a funding deal for DHS, and by implication, TSA. Also read: What’s going on at Newark airport? Flight operations stopped after control tower evacuation Funding gridlock over ICE is affecting entire DHS budget The disputes involve immigration enforcement policies and ICE funding. Democrats refuse to approve money for DHS without reforms, while Republicans tie DHS funding to strict immigration rules. Both sides are digging in, even as ICE has now been deployed at some airports. President Donald Trump even threatened to deploy the National Guard at airports. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-deploys-ice-agents-to-14-airports-amid-travel-chaos-wion-1774405765845/embed TSA officers are 'essential' to security, but many are working without pay Many TSA officers are staying away, and several of those at airports are working without pay. Since they are classified as “essential”, TSA officers must show up for work, pay or no pay. According to some reports, up to 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on a single day. More than 360 resigned since the shutdown began. Many of them are missing out on paying rents and face evictions, while others are doing second jobs to pay bills. Screening lines grow at airports; ICE stand‑ins cannot fill gaps Wait times at some airports, including Atlanta and Houston, are up to four hours, as staffing gaps have directly led to slow screening lines. Small airports could partially close if screening fails, given that it is mandatory for flying. ICE agents are not specifically trained in TSA-level security screening. They cannot operate X-ray machines or interpret explosive detection results. At best, they can check IDs and immigration status of passengers. Also read: Aviation crisis: TSA unpaid, Donald Trump proposes ICE takeover of airport security American airports are vulnerable to security breaches right now The combination of untrained personnel, lesser-trained screeners from TSA, and fears over ICE agents could expose airports to serious security concerns even as global tensions rise due to the Iran war. Intelligence agencies have warned of attempts to target US interests abroad and at home. Airports are very symbolic and practical targets, going by past experience. Any attack could potentially cause mass casualties, disrupt commerce, and shatter public confidence. Long lines mean less focus on security, and fewer trained eyes mean a greater risk of dangerous items slipping through. Unpaid workers under stress are more likely to make errors. TSA chief issues warning The acting TSA chief, Ha Nguyen McNeill, told Congress that budget uncertainty will “pose significant challenges” to security operations. The political fights in Washington over funding DHS could have dire consequences on the front lines of national security. An unfunded DHS and a depleted TSA can expose the homeland of America to threats from enemies who are constantly watching for weaknesses. This risk of airports becoming sitting ducks rises at a time when adversaries have the intent to strike the mainland. It is time for US lawmakers to reach a DHS funding deal, or airport security may worsen, as does the risk to American travellers and the nation itself.

<p>US airport security is under strain as TSA staff work without pay amid DHS funding deadlock amid global tensions. Delays, resignations, and ICE stand-ins heighten risks, leaving airports vulnerable to security breaches amid Iran war&nbsp;</p>

US airport security chaos couldn’t have come at a worse time as DHS funding politics hits TSA screenings amid Iran war

The White House has rejected Elon Musk’s offer to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the ongoing government shutdown, citing legal and ethical concerns.

Officials said federal rules bar private individuals from directly paying government employees, with compensation strictly governed by congressional appropriations.

The administration also flagged Musk’s existing government contracts as a potential conflict, adding that such an arrangement would pose significant legal challenges.

The decision comes as thousands of TSA workers continue to work without full pay amid the funding impasse, raising concerns over airport disruptions and staffing shortages.

USA: White House Snubs Musk Offer to Pay TSA Staff Over Ethics Rules | WION

<p><strong>TSA screening chaos at US airports: </strong>While recent headlines focus on Iran-related travel advisories to American fliers, they face more immediate disruption at home. Scroll down for videos. US airports face chaos due to a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which funds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), responsible for security screenings. Without funding, TSA screeners have missed work or resigned, and ICE officers are being deployed to assist. Smaller airports could face temporary closures.</p><h2>TSA staffing crisis, resignations lead to long lines</h2><p>Since mid-February, tens of thousands of TSA officers have either worked without pay, stayed away, or resigned. Nationwide absenteeism averages around 10 per cent, spiking up to 40 per cent at major hubs. Over 360 TSA officers have resigned, and nearly 50,000 remain unpaid. The result is multi-hour security queues, temporary checkpoint closures, missed flights, and cascading delays. Peak spring break travel has worsened the situation.</p><h2>Major US airports affected: From Atlanta to Houston</h2><p>Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported absences up to 38 per cent, with waits exceeding two hours. George Bush Intercontinental in Houston saw lines stretching outside terminals, with TSA absenteeism near 40 per cent. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston reported more than three-hour waits. JFK in New York faced staffing shortages of up to 20 per cent. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported over two-hour waits. Similar disruptions affected Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, and airports in Puerto Rico.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-missiles-target-dubai-airport-flights-disrupted-briefly-1773664161540/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-missiles-target-dubai-airport-flights-disrupted-briefly-1773664161540/embed</a></p><h2>Small airports at risk of complete shutdown</h2><p>Federal law requires TSA screening for commercial flights. Without it, smaller airports, which operate with minimal staff, could shut down. Acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl warned that airport closures are no longer hypothetical if absentee rates continue rising, especially after another missed pay cycle. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the current disruption as “child’s play” compared to potential nationwide three- to four-hour waits, widespread flight delays, cancellations, and near-gridlock across the US aviation system.</p><h2>Airports with private contractors fare better</h2><p>Airports participating in the TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP), where private contractors handle screening under federal oversight, are largely unaffected. Examples include San Francisco International and Kansas City International. Contractors are paid via pre-funded agreements and are not impacted by the shutdown.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aviation-crisis-tsa-unpaid-donald-trump-proposes-ice-takeover-of-airport-security-1774119162561">Aviation crisis: TSA unpaid, Donald Trump proposes ICE takeover of airport security</a></p><h2>ICE deployment at airports: A questionable choice</h2><p>To help alleviate congestion, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began deploying officers to major airports. ICE presence aims to support TSA but does not replace screeners. ICE officers are not trained to operate X-ray machines, conduct baggage checks, or perform full screening. Their tasks include guarding exits, checking IDs before screening areas, managing queues, and coordinating crowd flow to allow TSA staff to focus on screening duties.</p><p>Confirmed or reported airports with ICE presence include Atlanta, JFK and other New York-area airports, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia. Overall, ICE could be deployed at around 14 major airports, involving hundreds of officers.</p><h2>Public reaction to ICE deployment at airports: Concerns, fear</h2><p>ICE deployment has drawn mixed responses. Supporters see it as a practical, short-term measure to reduce delays and maximise federal resources. Critics, including civil liberties groups, worry that ICE’s immigration enforcement role could intimidate travellers and raise tensions in crowded environments. Some express concern about “scope creep,” fearing ICE involvement may extend beyond logistical support.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/air-canada-plane-collides-with-firetruck-in-new-york-city-s-laguardia-airport-video-1774241250775/amp">'Stop, stop, stop': Air Canada plane collides with firetruck in New York City's LaGuardia airport - VIDEO</a></p><h2>What US air passengers should know right now</h2><p>If you are planning to go ato an American airport, arrive at least three hours early, monitor real-time TSA and airline updates, and expect additional ID checks and longer queues. Flexibility for delays or rescheduling is advised.</p><h2>Perspective: A home-made crisis amid global headlines over Iran travel</h2><p>While the US State Department issues travel warnings about Iran, domestic airport disruption presents a more immediate challenge. The DHS shutdown, TSA absenteeism, and ICE deployment are creating a fragile, escalating situation for US air travel. The situatio can worsen if congressional funding is not restored soon for DHS.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🇺🇸 New Orleans airport.<br><br>The line starts before the airport does. Everyone expects to miss their flight.<br><br>Houston was 3 hours outside. ICE got deployed this morning.<br><br>The American airport is having a week.<a href="https://t.co/DPwYzVV1IT">pic.twitter.com/DPwYzVV1IT</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXww3Bjah3">https://t.co/FXww3Bjah3</a></p>&mdash; Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2035900920215765310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨HOLY SMOKES!!!<br><br>The TSA lines in Houston TX have now stretched to a mind-blowing 3 HOURS LONG!!!!!<br><br>People are literally waiting in lines WRAPPED AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPORT!!!!<br><br>THIS IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/NOgPagsnVl">pic.twitter.com/NOgPagsnVl</a></p>&mdash; Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2035879953535775039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2-3 hour wait times for TSA security lines currently at IAH airport in Houston Texas. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/f2yAb3VTNl">pic.twitter.com/f2yAb3VTNl</a></p>&mdash; Sam Dienst (@samdienst) <a href="https://twitter.com/samdienst/status/2034675429793996929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DHS funding crisis leads to TSA screening chaos: US airports face severe delays caused by absenteeism and resignations. ICE officers are being deployed to assist with crowd control but that's not a permanent solution. What you should know if you, or someone you know, is using a US airport

TSA screening chaos at US airports: While recent headlines focus on Iran-related travel advisories to American fliers, they face more immediate disruption at home. Scroll down for videos. US airports face chaos due to a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which funds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), responsible for security screenings. Without funding, TSA screeners have missed work or resigned, and ICE officers are being deployed to assist. Smaller airports could face temporary closures. TSA staffing crisis, resignations lead to long lines Since mid-February, tens of thousands of TSA officers have either worked without pay, stayed away, or resigned. Nationwide absenteeism averages around 10 per cent, spiking up to 40 per cent at major hubs. Over 360 TSA officers have resigned, and nearly 50,000 remain unpaid. The result is multi-hour security queues, temporary checkpoint closures, missed flights, and cascading delays. Peak spring break travel has worsened the situation. Major US airports affected: From Atlanta to Houston Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported absences up to 38 per cent, with waits exceeding two hours. George Bush Intercontinental in Houston saw lines stretching outside terminals, with TSA absenteeism near 40 per cent. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston reported more than three-hour waits. JFK in New York faced staffing shortages of up to 20 per cent. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported over two-hour waits. Similar disruptions affected Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, and airports in Puerto Rico. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iranian-missiles-target-dubai-airport-flights-disrupted-briefly-1773664161540/embed Small airports at risk of complete shutdown Federal law requires TSA screening for commercial flights. Without it, smaller airports, which operate with minimal staff, could shut down. Acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl warned that airport closures are no longer hypothetical if absentee rates continue rising, especially after another missed pay cycle. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the current disruption as “child’s play” compared to potential nationwide three- to four-hour waits, widespread flight delays, cancellations, and near-gridlock across the US aviation system. Airports with private contractors fare better Airports participating in the TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP), where private contractors handle screening under federal oversight, are largely unaffected. Examples include San Francisco International and Kansas City International. Contractors are paid via pre-funded agreements and are not impacted by the shutdown. Also read: Aviation crisis: TSA unpaid, Donald Trump proposes ICE takeover of airport security ICE deployment at airports: A questionable choice To help alleviate congestion, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began deploying officers to major airports. ICE presence aims to support TSA but does not replace screeners. ICE officers are not trained to operate X-ray machines, conduct baggage checks, or perform full screening. Their tasks include guarding exits, checking IDs before screening areas, managing queues, and coordinating crowd flow to allow TSA staff to focus on screening duties. Confirmed or reported airports with ICE presence include Atlanta, JFK and other New York-area airports, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia. Overall, ICE could be deployed at around 14 major airports, involving hundreds of officers. Public reaction to ICE deployment at airports: Concerns, fear ICE deployment has drawn mixed responses. Supporters see it as a practical, short-term measure to reduce delays and maximise federal resources. Critics, including civil liberties groups, worry that ICE’s immigration enforcement role could intimidate travellers and raise tensions in crowded environments. Some express concern about “scope creep,” fearing ICE involvement may extend beyond logistical support. Also read: 'Stop, stop, stop': Air Canada plane collides with firetruck in New York City's LaGuardia airport - VIDEO What US air passengers should know right now If you are planning to go ato an American airport, arrive at least three hours early, monitor real-time TSA and airline updates, and expect additional ID checks and longer queues. Flexibility for delays or rescheduling is advised. Perspective: A home-made crisis amid global headlines over Iran travel While the US State Department issues travel warnings about Iran, domestic airport disruption presents a more immediate challenge. The DHS shutdown, TSA absenteeism, and ICE deployment are creating a fragile, escalating situation for US air travel. The situatio can worsen if congressional funding is not restored soon for DHS.

<p>US airports see TSA screening chaos after DHS funding crisis: Flyers see severe delays caused by absenteeism and resignations. ICE officers are being deployed to assist with crowd control. What you should know if you, or peole you know, are using a US airport</p>

It's a MESS: Forget Iran travel warning, US flyers face chaos at home airports due to TSA funding crisis as ICE deploys -  What they should know

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidruJVKnfyDvPl" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>A fully loaded firearm with 163 rounds of ammunition and Naruto throwing knives inside a carry-on were some of the most bizarre items TSA officials found in 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Every year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States releases a list of the top ten best catches, which includes the most strange items they have seized during airport security checks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They started releasing the annual lists in 2016. The first list included a full-size prop corpse, a Hello Kitty pistol and a golden hand grenade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In&nbsp;last year's list, marijuana hidden in an adult diaper was one of them. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told NBC News that they found it at a checkpoint scanner at LaGuardia Airport in New York after being alarmed about a woman's groin.</p>

<p>"The woman had stashed pot in her adult diaper in an effort to conceal the marijuana from TSA and from her traveling companion, her mom!" Farbstein said in a statement Tuesday. "She told officials that she didn't want her mother to find out that she was packing the pot."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/welsh-tidy-mouse-might-have-been-cleaning-british-mans-shed-for-fun-678196">‘Welsh Tidy Mouse’ might have been cleaning British man’s shed for ‘fun’, say scientists</a></p>

<p>However, it wasn't the first time TSA caught illegal things in a diaper at LaGuardia. In December 2023, Farbstein shared on X that TSA captured a man carrying 17 bullets in a clean disposable diaper from Arkansas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We hate to break it to you here, but stuffing a firearm in your holiday bird for travel is just a waste of time," the TSA wrote on Instagram in 2022.</p>

<p>TSA press secretary R Carter Langston said, "The most bizarre item on the list for me would have to be the giant bullet." According to him, TSA found the 35mm projectile in a passenger's bag at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. "Even if it was inert, it's just the fear factor alone that it might bring to other passengers."</p>

<p>Here's a list of some other things that made the TSA best catches list for 2023:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Naruto throwing knives: Boston Logan International Airport</li>
	<li>Four replica rockets: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska</li>
	<li>Improvised explosive device in a carbon dioxide cartridge (pipe bomb): Sacramento International Airport, California</li>
	<li>Fully loaded firearm with 163 rounds of ammunition: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport</li>
	<li>Knife hidden inside a prosthetic foot:&nbsp;Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport,&nbsp;Alaska</li>
</ul>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A fully loaded firearm with 163 rounds of ammunition and Naruto throwing knives inside a carry-on were some of the most bizarre items TSA officials found in 2023.

A fully loaded firearm with 163 rounds of ammunition and Naruto throwing knives inside a carry-on were some of the most bizarre items TSA officials found in 2023. Every year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States releases a list of the top ten best catches, which includes the most strange items they have seized during airport security checks. They started releasing the annual lists in 2016. The first list included a full-size prop corpse, a Hello Kitty pistol and a golden hand grenade. In last year's list, marijuana hidden in an adult diaper was one of them. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told NBC News that they found it at a checkpoint scanner at LaGuardia Airport in New York after being alarmed about a woman's groin. "The woman had stashed pot in her adult diaper in an effort to conceal the marijuana from TSA and from her traveling companion, her mom!" Farbstein said in a statement Tuesday. "She told officials that she didn't want her mother to find out that she was packing the pot." ALSO READ | ‘Welsh Tidy Mouse’ might have been cleaning British man’s shed for ‘fun’, say scientists However, it wasn't the first time TSA caught illegal things in a diaper at LaGuardia. In December 2023, Farbstein shared on X that TSA captured a man carrying 17 bullets in a clean disposable diaper from Arkansas. "We hate to break it to you here, but stuffing a firearm in your holiday bird for travel is just a waste of time," the TSA wrote on Instagram in 2022. TSA press secretary R Carter Langston said, "The most bizarre item on the list for me would have to be the giant bullet." According to him, TSA found the 35mm projectile in a passenger's bag at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. "Even if it was inert, it's just the fear factor alone that it might bring to other passengers." Here's a list of some other things that made the TSA best catches list for 2023: Naruto throwing knives: Boston Logan International Airport Four replica rockets: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska Improvised explosive device in a carbon dioxide cartridge (pipe bomb): Sacramento International Airport, California Fully loaded firearm with 163 rounds of ammunition: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Knife hidden inside a prosthetic foot: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska (With inputs from agencies)

What people tried to smuggle in airline luggage: Pipe bomb, marijuana in adult diaper, throwing knives...

<p>In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seized a record number of guns at airport security checkpoints this year. The report published on Friday (December 16) mentioned that as of December 16, the agency has stopped 6,301 firearms, and more than 88 per cent of them were loaded. The number is alarming amid a rise in gun violence in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the official release, the agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security also mentioned that number has surpassed the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TSA, which has authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States, expects to prevent about 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports by the end of 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The number in 2022 is nearly a 10 per cent increase over 2021's record level.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, "I applaud the work of our Transportation Security Officers who do an excellent job of preventing firearms from getting into the secure area of airports, and onboard aircraft."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags at the checkpoint and onboard aircraft. When a passenger brings a firearm to the checkpoint, this consumes significant security resources and poses a potential threat to transportation security, in addition to being very costly for the passenger," Pekoske added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;UK billionaire numbers up by 20% since pandemic&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>In America, firearm possession laws are different in different states, depending upon the local government. But notably, TSA has never allowed carrying firearms in carry-on bags at the security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gun ownership in the US has grown significantly over the last several years and officials have raised concerns after multiple incidents of gun violence in recent years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, to prevent the threat of firearms at checkpoints, TSA has increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seized a record number of guns at airport security checkpoints this year. The report published on Friday (December 16) mentioned that as of December 16, the agency has stopped 6,301 firearms, and more than 88 per cent of them were loaded.

In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seized a record number of guns at airport security checkpoints this year. The report published on Friday (December 16) mentioned that as of December 16, the agency has stopped 6,301 firearms, and more than 88 per cent of them were loaded. The number is alarming amid a rise in gun violence in the country. In the official release, the agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security also mentioned that number has surpassed the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021. TSA, which has authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States, expects to prevent about 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports by the end of 2022. The number in 2022 is nearly a 10 per cent increase over 2021's record level. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, "I applaud the work of our Transportation Security Officers who do an excellent job of preventing firearms from getting into the secure area of airports, and onboard aircraft." "Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags at the checkpoint and onboard aircraft. When a passenger brings a firearm to the checkpoint, this consumes significant security resources and poses a potential threat to transportation security, in addition to being very costly for the passenger," Pekoske added. WATCH | UK billionaire numbers up by 20% since pandemic × In America, firearm possession laws are different in different states, depending upon the local government. But notably, TSA has never allowed carrying firearms in carry-on bags at the security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit. Gun ownership in the US has grown significantly over the last several years and officials have raised concerns after multiple incidents of gun violence in recent years. Therefore, to prevent the threat of firearms at checkpoints, TSA has increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Security seized a record number of guns at airports, most of them were loaded

The United States Transport Security Administrated has intercepted a record number of firearms brought by passengers to the airport security checkpoints. The agency said that over 88% of firearms were loaded.

US intercepts record number of firearms; TSA says over 88% of firearms were loaded

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US airport security chaos couldn’t have come at a worse time as DHS funding politics hits TSA screenings amid Iran war

USA: White House Snubs Musk Offer to Pay TSA Staff Over Ethics Rules | WION

US airport chaos: DHS shutdown triggers massive screening delays as ICE deploys

What people tried to smuggle in airline luggage: Pipe bomb, marijuana in adult diaper, throwing knives...

US: Security seized a record number of guns at airports, most of them were loaded

US intercepts record number of firearms; TSA says over 88% of firearms were loaded