Denver International Airport is fifth in the nation for firearms seized at security checkpoints, according to federal data released Friday.
Of the 2,212 guns recovered from carry-on bags in 2014, 70 were discovered at DIA — a 37 percent jump from the 51 recovered at DIA in 2013.
“There was a 22 percent increase in firearm discoveries from last year’s total of 1,813,” The TSA noted on its blog. “Of those, 2,212 (83 percent) were loaded.”
It is legal to pack a firearm in checked baggage. Taking it on a plane is another matter.
“Passengers always say they just forgot that it was in their bag,” . “It never ends up being something nefarious, but passengers end up paying the price.”
TSA screened more than 653 million passengers in 2014, which is about 14.8 million more than in 2013. Guns were recovered at 224 airports — 19 more airports than in 2013. Guns were not the only weapons recovered by TSA. Among the more notable 2014 discoveries are a homemade avalanche control charge found in a carry-on at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska and an Mk 2 hand grenade in a carry-on at LAX.
TSA also found more than 700 stun guns and live smoke grenades, according to the report.
People got creative, too. One crafty traveler hid an . There was a saw blade in a Bible, rounds of .22-caliber ammunition inside a shirt cuff and an entire machete concealed in a bag lining, according to the report.
None of the creative camouflage jobs was found in Denver, the report said.
Laura Keeney: 303-954-1337, lkeeney@denverpost.com or twitter.com/LauraKeeney
2014’s top 10 airports for firearm recovery
1. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 120
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 109
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 78
4. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 77
5. Denver International Airport (DEN): 70
6. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): 50
7. Tampa International Airport (TPA): 49
8. Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 49
9. Nashville International Airport (BNA): 48
10. Orlando International Airport (MCO): 47
