KCI LED STATE WITH 88 FIREARMS DETECTED
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Missouri airports discovered a total of 192 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage last year, a statewide decrease of nearly 10 percent from the 2023 total. Each of the firearms was discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) led the state with 88 checkpoint firearms detected in 2024. The previous year there were 89 firearms detected at KCI.
St. Louis Lambert International saw a decrease of 97 in 2023 to 83 in 2024.
Springfield-Branson National saw a decrease of 23 in 2023 to 18 in 2024.
In 2024, TSA screened approximately 904 million passengers and crew at airports across the country. That figure represents a 5.3 percent increase over the approximately 858.6 million screened in 2023.
Statewide in 2024, TSA screened approximately 14.05 million departing travelers at Missouri airports, an increase of 4.7 percent over the 2023 total.
Nationwide, a firearm was detected for every 135,384 passengers screened. In Missouri, the rate was significantly higher with one firearm discovered for every 73,210 passengers screened.
When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray screen, TSA immediately notifies the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler. What happens to the firearm and the traveler is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency.
In addition to potential criminal citations or arrest by local law enforcement, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of $14,950 per violation.
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have TSA PreCheck® eligibility revoked for a period of up to five years and will receive enhanced screening during future travels.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
