Gun seizures at the Chattanooga Airport decreased 40% from 2022 to 2023, the most significant drop among Tennessee's six largest airports, but the number of firearms discovered in carry-on luggage statewide still looms large on a national scale.
Tennessee gun seizures from carry-on luggage declined from 2022 to 2023, Transportation Security Administration officials said in a news release. Federal officers at Tennessee airports discovered 313 firearms in travelers' carry-on luggage in 2023, a decrease of more than 14% from the 2022 statewide total of 366.
Airports across the state saw significant decreases last year, except for Tri-Cities Regional Airport, where a high of nine firearm discoveries were made, officials said. Nashville International Airport led the state in 2023 with 188 guns found, the fifth-highest 2023 total nationwide.
But in Chattanooga, 18 guns were discovered in 2023 compared with 30 in 2022, according to the federal agency.
Reached by phone, Chattanooga Airport spokesperson Albert Waterhouse said facility officials do not comment on federal agency actions.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga Airport boardings up 11% as restart of New York nonstops sought)
Nationwide, one firearm was detected for every 127,447 passengers screened, officials said. Even with overall decreases in airport totals, the rate for Tennessee airports was still nearly 2.5 times the national one -- with one firearm discovered for every 50,776 passengers screened.
Federal officers intercepted 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft, according to TSA. Officials said 93% of the seized firearms were loaded, a new record surpassing 2022's 6,542 firearms stopped.
Statewide in 2023, officers screened 15.9 million travelers at Tennessee airports and 858.6 million passengers and crew at airports across the country, officials said. Screenings increased for both over 2022 totals.
"We are still seeing far too many firearms at TSA checkpoints, and what's particularly concerning is the amount of them loaded, presenting an unnecessary risk to everyone at the checkpoint," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a news release. "Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on baggage. Passengers are only allowed to travel with an unloaded firearm, and only if they pack it properly in a locked, hard-sided case in their checked baggage and first declare it to the airline at the check-in counter."
When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray screen, agency officials notify airport law enforcement, and an officer removes the firearm and contacts the traveler, officials said. What happens to the firearm and the traveler is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency.
In addition to potential criminal charges or arrests, travelers face civil penalties up to nearly $15,000 per violation for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint, officials said.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga Airport receives $750,000 to attract more air service)
Passengers who violate firearms rules will also have their TSA "PreCheck" eligibility revoked for up to five years and will receive enhanced screening during future travels, according to the agency.
Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.