Attempts to bring guns on planes are down in Missouri — except in these 3 cities

More people are flying from Missouri airports, but fewer people are bringing guns in their carry-on luggage so far this year, the Transportation Security Administration said Friday.

During the first half of year 96 firearms were discovered in carry-on luggage throughout the state. This is down from the first half of 2023 when the total was 104. Columbia and Springfield airports, however, have seen a couple more passengers bring firearms in carry-on luggage.

Three firearms were discovered in Columbia compared to one last year, and 13 in Springfield, compared to 11 last year. St. Louis had fewer firearm discoveries from last year, 37 versus 51, but Kansas City also saw an increase, 43 versus 41. Other airports — Joplin, Cape Girardeau, Waynseville-St. Robert and Kirksville — had no firearm discoveries in the first half of the year or last year.

If a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray, the local airport officer responds to the security checkpoint, who removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and contacts the traveler. What happens to the traveler and the firearm is at the discretion of local law enforcement, TSA said.

Those who bring firearms in their luggage face criminal citations or arrest by local law enforcement and also could face civil penalties for bringing firearms to a security checkpoint, a maximum of $15,000 per violation. Violations also mean a revocation of TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years and enhanced screenings during future travels.

Between Jan. 1 and June 30, more than 443.1 million passengers were screened by TSA, a 7.3% increase from last year. In Missouri, that figure is nearly 6.84 million, a 7% increase from 2023.

Nationwide, one firearm was detected for every 135,560 passengers, while in Missouri, that rate is much higher with one firearm per 71,244 passengers.

Firearms only are allowed if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed with checked, not carry-on baggage, TSA said. Replica firearms also are barred from carry-on and must go in checked luggage.

Those bringing a firearm in checked luggage must declare it, any ammunition and firearm parts at the ticket counter. Passengers also are encouraged to check destination gun laws and regulations, TSA said. Airlines may also have firearm-specific rules and passengers should check those prior to flying.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.