Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has climbed an undesirable leaderboard, now ranking as the third-most common site for firearm discoveries at TSA checkpoints in 2024. The Transportation Security Administration has reported a total of 247 firearms were intercepted at Sky Harbor last year, which, as per the Phoenix New Times, marks a slight increase from 235 the year before. This ranks the airport behind only Atlanta and Dallas-Forth Worth.
TSA's public data shows that during 2024, airport security agents across the country recovered fewer firearms than in the previous year, with the total count decreasing slightly to 6,678 from 6,737. Yet, a staggering 94 percent of these were loaded, a detail highlighting a concerning trend among passengers carrying weapons. This data arrives just weeks following an incident at Sky Harbor that saw a family dispute escalate into a shooting near one of the airport's security checkpoints, detailed by the Phoenix New Times.
As standard protocol, when a firearm is detected at a checkpoint, the TSO must immediately halt the screening process and bring in local law enforcement, who take over the situation. These officers then determine whether the individual in possession of the weapon will face arrest or a citation. The TSA itself does not seize firearms but enforces its own set of repercussions for anyone caught with a firearm at a checkpoint. As ABC 15 reports, offenders face a hefty fine of up to $14,950, a minimum five-year ban from TSA PreCheck, and they must also undergo enhanced screening processes.
The TSA continues to remind travelers of their responsibility when flying with firearms. "One firearm at a checkpoint is too many," TSA Administrator David Pekoske insisted in a statement, urging that all firearms should be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared at the airline check-in counter, and placed in checked baggage, as obtained by the Phoenix New Times. This continued rise in intercepts at Sky Harbor signals a need for heightened awareness and education among travelers, ensuring that such security challenges are reduced in the coming years.
