As hundreds of thousands of people filter through South Florida airports each day for holiday travel, don’t become one of many who have been found with a gun in their carry-on luggage.
The mistake could be costly: a fine up to $14,000 and possibly criminal charges, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said in a November news release.
More than 5,000 guns were intercepted by Transportation Security Administration at airport security checkpoints nationwide as of this October, equating to an average of 18.3 guns each day. The vast majority were loaded, the agency said.
In Florida alone, nearly 400 guns were found in carry-on luggage in the first half of 2024. In that time frame, 50 guns were intercepted at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, 62 at Miami International Airport and 22 at Palm Beach International Airport, according to TSA data.
Fort Lauderdale’s airport ranked in the top 10 nationwide for airports with the highest number of guns discovered in carry-ons last year, at 135 guns. By the end of 2023, more than 6,700 guns had been found in carry-on bags around the country.
Most people simply forget that the gun is in their luggage, Sheriff’s Office Capt. Brian Montgomery said in a video message the Broward Sheriff’s Office shared.
“Your travel plans and your record are not worth the risk,” he said.
Guns cannot be in any security checkpoints or on a plane, regardless of whether the person has a concealed weapon permit or, as in Florida, the jurisdiction allows for permitless carry.
- Guns must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided case, transported only as checked baggage. Locked cases that could easily be opened will not meet requirements.
- Declare each gun as checked baggage to the airline when checking bags at the counter.
- Contact specific airlines for information on possible additional requirements or fees.
- Ammunition must be transported in checked bags. Check with specific airlines about limits.
- Follow firearm possession laws at all times when traveling, which vary from state to state.
