Record Number Of Firearms Seized By TSA In 2014

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's an airport security record: more than three dozen guns seized from our region's airports in just one year. So why do weapons keep making it to the checkpoint?

Christie Ileto explains.

TSA says many people say they simply forgot the gun was in their carry-on bag. But forgetting can be costly and criminal.

Thirty-seven. That's how many guns TSA has stopped from getting on planes leaving BWI Marshall, Reagan National and Dulles airports in the last year.

Locally, the numbers are up and mirror a record spike of more than 2,200 guns seized at checkpoints nationwide.

"It is kind of stupid. Why would you bring weapons knowing not to bring weapons? Why would you bring anything on a flight that you know you can't bring?" said James Todd.

If you go to any airport, the rules are posted everywhere. So why are so many people bringing banned items to security checkpoints?

"There are more passengers flying," said Lisa Farbstein, TSA. "The most common excuse is that people say they forget."

More flyers means more banned items.

TSA gave WJZ rare access to the almost 300 pounds of banned items confiscated each month at BWI, including guns, meat cleavers and kettle balls--items that pose threats to flyers and TSA agents.

In 2013, Agent Girardo Hernandez was murdered at LAX. His shooting raises questions about whether agents should be armed.

"They ought to just know what they can take and what they can't take," said Cheri Ham.

Still, for passengers, safety comes first—even if it means waiting in long lines.

"I don't want to get on a plane and worry that goofy looking guy over there  has a knife in his pocket or something. I want to feel safe," said Jim Ham.

There have been no incidents at BWI so far this year. In December, a man was arrested for bringing a loaded gun in his carry-on.

TSA says 83 percent of the firearms confiscated in the last year were loaded.