While travelers continue to prioritize finding cheap traveloptions such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms and cheap vacation packages, asthe best way to make affordable travel plans, everyone continues to want to besafe when traveling.
Passenger safety is a growing concern given that moretravelers in 2016 tried to get loaded guns past airport security checkpoints incarry-on bags than ever before.
Airport security officers recovered 3,391 guns in 2016, up28 percent from the prior year. Themajority of the confiscated guns, 83 percent, were loaded.
The number of gun seizures has risen steadily anddramatically from 2005 when only 660 guns were discovered at securitycheckpoints. In the last 11 years gunsstopped at security checkpoints has increased by over 400 percent.
Given that security officials have become better trained atfinding guns at security checkpoints, it remains unclear how much of thisincrease is due to more people trying to take guns on planes vs. being caughtat checkpoints.
One reason that more passengers may be bringing guns toairports is that concealed and open carry laws have increased throughout theUnited States. Travelers who carry theirguns frequently, especially in a laptop bag, backpack or purse, are known toforget they have the guns on them. Thenumber 1 reason fliers give for having a gun in a carry-on is I forgot it wasin there.
Although guns are prohibited from being stored in carry-onluggage, passengers are allowed to transport them in checked bags as long asthe guns are unloaded.
Last year guns were discovered at 238 U.S. airports, withAtlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International witnessing the most firearms with198 seized. Dallas/Fort WorthInternational came in a close second with 192 gun seizures followed by GeorgeBush Intercontinental Airport in Houston with 128. Other high seizure airports were Phoenix,Denver and Orlando.
Lawmakers and safety officials are taking another look atairport safety following the deadly shooting of five people at the FortLauderdale airport in Florida on January 7th of this year.
The ability of the suspect to open fire at a baggage claimoutside of the screening area has fueled debate over what type of securitymeasures are needed.
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