TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The TSA announced it found 13 loaded firearms at airport security checkpoints in the Tampa Bay area over Veterans Day weekend.
At Tampa International Airport, a total of 11 firearms were detected, while one each was found at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
in total, TSA said about 120 loaded firearms have been found in the Tampa Bay area in 2024, meaning about 9 percent of the firearms were found over the past weekend alone.
The following firearms were found over the weekend:
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Taurus 9mm
- Smith & Wesson .45 caliber
- Sig Sauer 9mm
- Taurus 9mm
- Smith & Wesson .380 caliber
- Ruger .22 caliber
- Glock 9mm
- Seecamp .32 caliber
- Ruger .380 caliber
- Sig Sauer 9mm
- Glock 9mm
St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
- Sig Sauer 9mm
Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
- Ruger .380 caliber
TSA said local law enforcement was contacted in each case and the passengers and firearms were removed from the checkpoint areas.
The administration reminds citizens that bringing a firearm into a security checkpoint can result in criminal citations or arrest and civil penalties, up to a maximum of $15,000 per violation.
Individuals who violate firearm rules while traveling will also have their TSA PreCheck® eligibility revoked for up to five years and will receive enhanced screening when returning to the checkpoint.