The Transportation Security Agency says the number of guns found at airport security checkpoints is rising.
As of Sept. 26, agents have confiscated 1,105 guns from carry-on bags this year, the TSA says.
Last year’s total was 1,320, up from 1,123 in 2010.
Security experts say the increase comes from a rise in gun sales and the growth of right-to-carry laws.
According to FBI data, last year requests for background checks for firearms sales totaled 16.4 million, which is an increase over 2010’s 14.4 million.
TSA officials say travelers found with guns in their carry-on bags usually say they forgot they had it.
Agency officials are only allowed to confiscate the weapon and call law enforcement, who then decide what will happen to the traveler.
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