BOISE, Idaho — The Transportation Security Administration says they discovered 40 firearms in passenger carry-ons at the Boise Airport in 2022 and nine others at Idaho airports for a total of 49 firearms seized statewide. All of those guns were discovered during routine x-ray screenings at security checkpoints.
"Don't bring your firearm to the checkpoint," Idaho TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said. "Don't bring it into the cabin of the aircraft. We hope by bringing this up, by showing the proper process by which you can travel with your gun, it will cut down on those numbers.”
Of course, carrying a firearm onto a commercial aircraft is illegal even if you have a concealed carry permit. It's usually done by mistake, but still, the penalties can be stiff.
TSA also highlighted the Top 10 items discovered in travelers’ carry-on luggage at Idaho airports in 2022, which included a grenade, a bowling pin, a stun gun, and a nail gun.
"It's a lot of fun to look at the items to laugh at them and say, 'What were people thinking?', but the reality is those items all came through the checkpoint," Dankers said. "They all came through the checkpoint in Idaho, and every one of them slowed the screening down."
The demonstration reminds travelers to double-check carry-on bags and remember weapons like knives are not allowed on planes.
"If next year we can have an empty table, we would love that. That would be a victory," said Dankers.
If you are questioning whether an item is allowed on board, visit the TSA website. You can also get questions answered by messaging @AskTSA via text or Twitter.
