DES MOINES, Iowa — 16 guns were recovered at the Des Moines International Airport in 2024, doubling 2023’s number and climbing above the national average.

According to Jessica Mayle with TSA Public Affairs, TSA agents are recovering less guns each year with national totals continually dropping over the past few years. However, the Des Moines International Airport isn’t following that trend.

In 2024, 16 guns were recovered by the TSA at the Des Moines Airport, which is more than double the seven guns found in 2023.

In 2024, for every million passengers screened 7.4 handguns were recovered nationwide, while here at the Des Moines Airport for every million passengers screened 9.3 handguns were recovered.

“Big jump this year in Iowa. Nationwide, we did see the number go down, which is a great sign. But unfortunately, in Des Moines, it did go up,” said Mayle.

As traveling continues to pick back up from the effects of COVID, the TSA was aware that more passengers likely meant more guns.

Mayle says one reason is carelessness, people grab a bag from their closet and don’t think about what might have been left inside. The spike could also be linked to passengers checking less bags when they fly.

“Another thing we’ve seen in recent years is just fewer people wanting to check bags at all,” said Mayle. “So, we just see more bags going through the checkpoint than we did and that’s part of it as well. When you have more bags it’s just more prohibited items.”

In 2024, the TSA rolled out a campaign called “Prepare, Pack, Declare” which encourages all who are flying to know what they are traveling with, ensure everything they bring with them is within guidelines, and to notify officials when there is a handgun present.

“Prepare when you’re at home, pack it properly,” said Mayle. “If you do need a firearm at your destination, maybe it’s a hunting trip or you just have a need for it, it goes in a locked, hard sided case unloaded. So, make sure you have all that before you get to the airport.”

The holdup from finding a gun not only disrupts the flow of traffic, it also posed serious repercussions. The Des Moines Police Department responds to all gun calls and then issues fines.

“It’s not just, you know, the civil penalty, which can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars from TSA. But that we do call the police and there can be local criminal consequences as well,” said Mayle.

Mayle says the Des Moines Airport will continue campaigns and programs to deter passengers from bringing in firearms but it’s up to passengers to check their bags and be aware.

For a complete description of TSA gun traveling guidelines click here.