ORLANDO, Fla, — The Transportation Security Administration said they found twice as many firearms in 2020 compared to 2019.
TSA says officers found 3,257 firearms at checkpoints at several airports across the nation.
That is despite the reduction of airline passengers due to COVID-19.
READ: Florida man who lost everything in fire, helps rescue child injured in car accident
According to statistics released by the TSA Tuesday, that amounts to approximately 10 firearms per million passengers screened compared to five firearms per million passengers in 2019.
NEWS: TSA firearm catch rate doubles in 2020 - highest in the agency’s 19-year history. Read more at https://t.co/NEecFgNHog. pic.twitter.com/Y5nmGVMjjr
— TSA (@TSA) January 26, 2021
The agency says the majority of the firearms discovered at checkpoints were in carry-on bags.
READ: Southwest Airlines latest company to ban emotional support animals
Of those firearms, about 83% were loaded as compared to the 87% in 2019.
Of the 234 airports nationwide, Orlando ranked 8th with 79 firearms detected.
TSA allows airline passengers to fly with firearms in checked baggage, provided they are properly packed and declared at check-in.
WFTV