The TSA discovered a record number of firearms at airport checkpoints during 2018.
The agency released its annual report Thursday, in which it revealed some alarming figures about people bringing weapons to airports.
TSA screeners found 4,239 firearms, of which 3,656 were loaded — both records. What is more, 1,432 of the firearms had a round in the chamber.
Guns were found at 249 of the nation's 440 federalized airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport led the way with 298, 253 of which were loaded. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport had 219 firearm discoveries, followed by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 129.
Other prohibited items found in the nation's airports included smoke grenades, an inert hand grenade, lighter fluid, fireworks, and replica mortar shells.
TSA screeners also found dangerous items passengers tried to hide, including scissors wrapped in foil and a pellet gun tucked into a static shielding bag.
The TSA was one of several government agencies that temporarily lost its funding during the recent government shutdown that lasted five weeks. TSA screeners and other federal employees missed two paychecks before the shutdown ended and they received backpay.
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