Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passengers. It’s also number one in guns confiscated by TSA. If you’re counting, that’s 92 confiscated this year according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article goes on to point out that the airport is almost at the number of guns confiscated in all of 2014.
It’s a challenge being the world’s busiest airport in one of the world’s gun-loving-est places. Firearms confiscated at Hartsfield-Jackson so far this year are closing on the total for all of last year, 109.
What gives? As a resident of Atlanta, I can attest to the fact that people here love their guns, and it’s easier to carry them here than in some locales I’ve lived. The image of two dads pushing strollers with one of them having a Glock strapped to his leg at our first Little 5 Points Halloween Parade still comes to mind.
With guns having what feels like an above average presence here, it’s not surprising at all to me that some people “forget” they have them in their bags, purses, etc. I really do believe that most people forget their guns and don’t remove them from their bags before heading through airport security and do not mean any ill intent. On the other hand, I’m not sure someone who “forgets” they have a gun really needs one.
Of course, it is absolutely legal to travel with a firearm and ammunition in your checked luggage if you follow the rules. Here’s a link to TSA’s page that describes how to do that.
-MJ, August 2, 2015
I take my Glock in my checked baggage all the time. Just follow the procedures and you’ll be fine. Ticket agents sometimes balk at it, but I’ve never had an issue with the TSA.