Some of the weapons confiscated at Tampa International Airport a couple years ago. (Photo: Sharon Parker, NewsRadio 970 WFLA).
Last year, federal security screeners confiscated 97 guns from passengers at Tampa International Airport at the security checkpoints.
90 of them were loaded.
That puts Tampa International sixth in the nation for airport firearm discoveries followed by Orlando International. It's reflective of a spike in the number of guns seized at U.S. airport security checkpoints.
Mark Howell of the Transportation Security Administration says many people who carry a concealed weapons simply forget its on their person when they go to the airport. Others aren't up to speed on the federal travel rules governing firearms, which prohibit weapons on board. Passengers can place their weapon in their checked luggage, but it has to be unloaded and placed in a secure case.