TSA confiscated record number of guns at Salt Lake International last year

SALT LAKE CITY – A new report said Salt Lake International ranked in the top ten airports in the country for firearms found in luggage and set a new local record in the process. 

The TSA said they discovered 115 firearms in travelers’ luggage in 2021. 

Salt Lake International ranked 10th in the nation for the number of firearms discoveries. 

Atlanta topped the list with 507. 

This isn't a list we want to be on but Salt Lake City International Airport made the "Top 10" list for most firearm discoveries in carry-on bags in 2021… a record year according to the TSA. https://t.co/4uEBIvp2V5

— Dan Spindle KSL (@DanSpindleKSL) January 18, 2022

“A record number of firearm discoveries at SLC and at airports nationwide continues to stun and disappoint,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Utah Matt Davis. “Despite an increase in the number of firearms that were brought by travelers to the security checkpoint at SLC, TSA employees here and across the country have not lost their focus. In fact, we are even more committed to our security mission and will remain vigilant to ensure that any type of security threat does not make it into the sterile area of the airport or onto an aircraft to ensure the security of the traveling public.” 

Firearms are never allowed in carry-on’s – and violators can face steep criminal and civil penalties. 

The TSA screened about 7.3 million passengers and crew in 2021 which made it the 24th busiest airport for security checkpoint screenings.  

In 2020 TSA 4.4 million travelers at SLC, a 64% increase over the 2020 figures. 

TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is also available. 

TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition.