The Transportation Security Administration just unveiled the number of guns and other dangerous weapons that have been intercepted in carry-on luggage throughout the country last year: 2,212.
In its report, the TSA explains that there has been a 22 percent increase from last year's total, 1,813, which represents about 6 firearms discovered every day on average. Of those 2,212, about 83 percent were actually loaded when discovered. The total number of discovery is the highest ever recorded.
Appart from these numerous firearms, there were also a important number of dangerous objects, such as a hand grenade in Los Angeles International Airport. Such discoveries often trigger delays. In the case of the hand grande for instance, the Terminal checkpoint had to be closed while the object was taken away to be disrupted. The journey of about 800 passengers was affected because five flights were delayed because of the incident.
Very often, TSA officers have to deal with objects that look like real weapons even if they might just be toys or replicas. However, these objects make the whole security process at checkpoints more difficult and longer. For instance, at Kansas City, a novelty alarm clock was found, which was looking almost exactly like an explosive device.
As this USA Today chart shows, in less than ten years, the number of firearms intercepted has remarkably grown.