3 guns seized at HIA in 2015, up from zero in ’14

(Harrisburg) — Transportation Security Agency agents stopped three people who were carrying guns last year at Harrisburg International Airport.

None were captured in 2014 and one in 2013. 

Michael McCarthy with the TSA says the results follow a nationwide trend.

“We’ve seen those numbers increase year over year. For instance, in 2014, there were more than 2,2000 firearms detected nationwide. Next year, in 2015, there were nearly 2,700 firearms detected nationwide.”

This comes as the number of people traveling through HIA fell nearly 10 percent.

TSA agents in Pittsburgh confiscated 20 firearms last year, doubling 2011’s total.

McCarthy says people who want to travel with their gun can – but they have to check it in a special case and declare it to their airline.

To learn more about traveling with a handgun, visit the TSA’s website.

“We’re not really certain what it is that may drive the increase in firearms year over year. It’s certainly not a local issue. This is something that we’ve seen nationally,” he adds.

Those caught with firearms face civil penalties that run up to $7,000, and law enforcement can also bring criminal charges.

TSA agents are also seeing more attempts to bring other weapons like knives on to planes.