Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 103 handguns at Pennsylvania airport security checkpoints in 2023, a notable spike from the 82 guns detected in 2022. 

According to the TSA, records were set for the most guns caught in a single year in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 

Additionally, nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2023. TSA says this is a significant increase from the 6,542 detected in 2022. 

TSA firearms caught at TSA checkpoints in airports in Pennsylvania, 2017 to 2022

Airport

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

35

25

20

26

39

44

45

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

32

34

35

21

32

26

44

Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)

6

6

7

4

2

10

8

Erie International Airport (ERI)

0

0

0

1

1

1

2

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP)

1

1

4

1

3

0

2

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE)

2

2

3

1

6

1

1

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)

4

7

1

3

6

0

1

University Park Airport (UNV)

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Totals

80

75

71

57

89

82

103

Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. 

According to the TSA, even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto a plane. Travelers with proper firearm permits can legally travel with firearms in their checked backs if they follow TSA guidelines. 

National statistics: Firearms caught by TSA at checkpoints, 2008 to 2023

Year

Nationwide

2023

6,737

2022

6,542

2021

5,972

2020

3,257

2019

4,432

2018

4,239

2017

3,957

2016

3,391

2015

2,653

2014

2,212

2013

1,813

2012

1,556

2011

1,320

2010

1,123

2009

976

2008

926

More information can be found on the TSA's website.