Gun Control

The TSA discovered 3,391 guns in carry-on bags in 2016 (9 guns per day.) And yes, 83% of them were loaded.

Between 2005 and 2009, they discovered less than 1,000 per year. Anyone have a theory as to why the numbers have tripled since then?

Quote: reno

The TSA discovered 3,391 guns in carry-on bags in 2016 (9 guns per day.) And yes, 83% of them were loaded.

Between 2005 and 2009, they discovered less than 1,000 per year. Anyone have a theory as to why the numbers have tripled since then?

Might just be getting better at detecting them. Newer equipment would do that.

Miss some other contraband, you get a lecture. Miss a gun, you might get fired. Just a guess.

Quote: AZDuffman

Might just be getting better at detecting them. Newer equipment would do that.

With the exception of 2007, the numbers have increased every single year. Is the airport security equipment being updated every single year at every single airport? I doubt that.

Quote: The Washington Post

One big factor driving this trend? An explosion in the popularity of concealed-carry handgun permits. Data maintained by independent researcher and gun rights advocate John Lott suggests that the number of concealed-carry-permit holders jumped from around 3 million in the early 2000s to over 11 million by 2014. And more concealed-carry-permit holders means that more people are simply forgetting they have their guns on them when they go to the airport.

FYI, if you make this mistake, the fine is $11,000. Except in Atlanta, where you're looking at 1 year jail time and $100,000 fine.

I wonder how many guns they miss...

Quote: Nareed

I wonder how many guns they miss...

95% of them.

Thankfully, these people aren't terrorists trying to hijack an airplane. So I suppose we should be relieved that virtually all of these 3,391 confiscated guns belonged to forgetful, absent-minded people who just don't keep track of where their loaded guns are. But I don't find it reassuring that forgetful, absent-minded people are unaware that they are walking around with a loaded gun.

Instead of Atlanta's $100,000 fine, maybe the State of Georgia should simply revoke the person's concealed carry permit.

Quote: reno

With the exception of 2007, the numbers have increased every single year. Is the airport security equipment being updated every single year at every single airport? I doubt that.

Doesn't have to be. The more places you roll it out the more you will catch in aggregate. TSA also might be getting more smarts, as they were totally incompetent the first few years they took over after 9/11, searching old women and children just because some random number generator told them to.

Some people may forget they have a gun I suppose. My dad didn't realize his pepper spray was a no-no once. He had to leave it behind, or I think my brother took it.

Quote: AZDuffman

Doesn't have to be. The more places you roll it out the more you will catch in aggregate. TSA also might be getting more smarts, as they were totally incompetent the first few years they took over after 9/11, searching old women and children just because some random number generator told them to.

Some people may forget they have a gun I suppose. My dad didn't realize his pepper spray was a no-no once. He had to leave it behind, or I think my brother took it.

The number of concealed-carry permits went from 3 million to 11 million. You don't think that had something to do with this?

Quote: reno

The number of concealed-carry permits went from 3 million to 11 million. You don't think that had something to do with this?

No, not really.