Miami International Airport reported a record number of guns in 2024, TSA says

Yes, but: Some airports, like MIA, saw a spike.

By the numbers: There were 103 firearms found at MIA in 2024, up from 78 the year before.

• TSA spokesperson Mark Howell says that his data only goes back to 2013, but he's comfortable saying MIA set an all-time record considering there were only 23 guns found at the airport in 2013.

Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport hit a four-year low with 113 firearms detected in 2024, compared to 135 in 2023.

• Howell credits the decrease, in part, to public education efforts by the airport and the Broward Sheriff's Office, including signs at terminals.

The other side: MIA spokesperson Greg Chin tells Axios that part of the reason for the increase is that the airport served 3.5 million more passengers in 2024 than in 2023.

• He wrote in an email that fewer firearms were found last year at MIA than at FLL or Tampa International Airport, "which both serve much fewer passengers."
• "MIA regularly partners with the TSA through news stories, social media, and airport-wide signage to educate travelers about prohibited items including firearms."

Pro tip: Guns can only be taken on a commercial flight if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case and placed in a checked bag, per the TSA.

Other airports that set gun-detection records in 2024 include: Palm Beach International (PBI), Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP), Gainesville Regional (GNV) and Melbourne Orlando International (MLB).

Stunning stat: Across the nation, 93% of firearms that TSA finds at airports are loaded, Howell says.