As the US roils under its latest incident of gun violence (Trump assassination attempt), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports it intercepted 3,269 firearms at airport security checkpoints south of the border during the first half of 2024 – an average of nearly 20 a day – and that 94 percent were loaded.

The TSA notes, however, that while the number firearms discovered during this period last year was nearly the same at 3,251, it screened nearly 7% more passengers during a period of record travel.

During the second quarter of 2024, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) screened more than 236 million passengers, compared to more than 221 million passengers in the second quarter of 2023.

Further, the rate of passengers with firearms during the most recent quarter was 7.5 firearms per one million passengers, which is a slight decrease from the same period in 2023, when the rate of discovery was 7.9 firearms per one million passengers.

“During a period of record-breaking travel volumes, our officers are working hard to keep our transportation systems secure and the travelling public safe, and any time they detect a firearm, there is a real safety concern for frontline employees and travellers,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

He cautioned, “If you carry a firearm, you are required to place it unloaded and locked in a hard-sided case in your checked bag and declare it to the airline when checking in at the airline ticket counter. Do not bring it to the checkpoint. It is costly and delays you and everyone else travelling in the same lane with you.”

Another thought: Don’t bring it at all.