Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is among the top airports for finding firearms at TSA checkpoints, according to the the Transportation Administration's data.
According to TSA officials, nearly 150 firearms have been found in Phoenix so far this year, landing it in the top ten airports for the most discoveries.
According to data from the past 20 years, this year broke a record for the most firearm discoveries at checkpoints in the country. By October 3rd, 4,495 guns had been discovered.
According to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, the number of firearms that officers find "is alarming." He said, "Firearms, particularly loaded firearms, introduce an unnecessary risk at checkpoints, have no place in the passenger cabin of an airplane, and represent a very costly mistake for the passengers who attempt to board a flight with them."
So what happens to people who attempt to bring firearms into the cabin of a plane?
According to TSA, they receive a civil penalty that varies by number of previous offenses and whether or not the firearm was loaded at the time of discovery.
Here are the top 10 airports for gun discoveries:
- ATL- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- DFW- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- IAH- George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- PHX- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- BNA- Nashville International Airport
- FLL- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- DEN- Denver International Airport
- SLC- Salt Lake City International Airport
- MSY- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- DAL- Dallas Love Field Airport