Denver International Airport saw a drop in firearms found in 2024, but the numbers remain concerning

Denver: So, it turns out Denver International Airport is pretty high on the list for finding guns in carry-on bags. They found 166 firearms this past year, which is a bit of a drop from 178 in 2023. But still, that’s way more than a decade ago.
To put it in perspective, that’s about 2.5 times more than what they used to find. And if you look at the bigger picture, TSA agents across the country found over 6,600 firearms last year, which is a huge jump from 2019.
TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers didn’t hold back, saying it’s just not okay for people to bring guns to the checkpoint. She emphasized that firearm owners should always know where their guns are, and bringing them to the airport is a big no-no.
As for the airports with the most firearms found, Atlanta took the top spot, followed by Dallas and Houston. Denver is definitely in the mix, which is a bit alarming.
In 2024, TSA screened around 904 million travelers, with DIA handling about 24.6 million of those. When a TSA agent spots a gun, they call in local police to handle it. Depending on the situation, police might issue citations, but it’s up to their discretion.
On top of that, TSA can hit repeat offenders with hefty fines, especially if the gun is loaded. Even if you have a concealed carry permit, you still can’t bring firearms in your carry-on.
For those traveling with guns, the rules are clear: they need to be unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case in checked luggage. It’s all about keeping everyone safe.