54 guns were confiscated in 2012
The TSA says nationally last year they confiscated 1,525 guns, up 16 percent from 2011. Nico Melendez, Spokesperson with the TSA says many times, people forget they have their guns with them.
"It's important to note that if you want to travel with a weapon it’s absolutely allowed,” said Melendez. "You just have to put it in your checked bag. It has to be declared to the airline in the proper carrying case locked and unloaded."
Melendez says although laws vary from state to state, if a TSA agent finds a gun or other illegal item with you at the checkpoint you could face civil penalties up to $10,000.
The TSA reports the most common weapon they took in at Sky Harbor was a .38 Caliber handgun.
