Given the understanding that terrorism, hijackings, and other acts of violence are bad for airplanes, it’s pretty well understood you don’t bring guns to the airport, particularly loaded ones.

Yet TSA is reporting a surprising uptick in passengers with guns being stopped at Philadelphia International Airport’s security checkpoints, writes Victor Fiorillo for Philadelphia Magazine.

Last week, TSA officers at PHL stopped a Florida man for having a 9mm gun loaded with six bullets in his carry-on. 

He’s now facing a weapons charge and a civil penalty of up to $15,000.

In 2019, the TSA confiscated 20 guns at PHL checkpoints. 

In 2023, with two months to go, the numbers are already at 41.

“It is disappointing that we need to remind gun owners over and over that they can’t carry a loaded firearm onto a plane,” said the TSA’s security director at PHL. “There is no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints.”

There are protocols to travel to the airport with a firearm, including checking the gun at the ticketing counter in a proper container. 

No one should still have a gun at the TSA checkpoint.

Find out more about this uptick of passengers with guns at the Philadelphia Airport in Philadelphia Magazine.