The TSA is alarmed: more and more weapons are seized at one of the airports in New York

Concerns about the large amount of ammunition and weapons found at the checkpoints at Newark Liberty International Airport prompted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to hold a special press conference. She reports ABC7took place on 30 June.

From handguns to hunting rifles, they were confiscated from airline passengers at security checkpoints. Most of the detained passengers say it was a mistake. But the TSA says there is no excuse for this.

“The bottom line is that guns and ammunition were never allowed to pass through a security checkpoint,” said New Jersey TSA Federal Security Director Thomas Carter.

The briefing showed a surprisingly wide range of weapons that TSA agents have prevented from being carried on flights in recent months.

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“80% of the firearms we find are loaded when they are found in hand luggage,” Carter said. “Twenty out of 25% had a cartridge in the chamber.”

The briefing explained what happens when a traveler brings a weapon to a security checkpoint.

When an unchecked firearm is discovered, the TSA detains all passengers attempting to make their flights.

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Passengers are only allowed to transport firearms after they have been declared and packed in accordance with the protocol. Loaded weapons are not allowed.

“Cooperation and coordination between TSA and Port Authority Police is the gold standard in aviation security,” said Port Authority Police Assistant Chief Steven Rotolo.

In 2020, TSA agents found 3257 firearms on passengers nationwide, about 83% of them loaded.

Last November, a Florida man was arrested at an airport after a TSA agent found a gun in his carry-on.