Blog

Traveling by air can be exhausting. Passengers have to make sure their bags meet size requirements to avoid extra fees, double-check their luggage against the TSA’s banned-items list (which includes some surprisingly odd restrictions), and arrive at the airport hours early to get through security, which feels more stressful than ever. With so much to worry about, it’s no surprise that many travelers choose to pay extra for TSA PreCheck to speed things up.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that TSA PreCheck is a privilege, not a right. This means you can lose access to it. But how does that happen?

In most cases, travelers lose their PreCheck status by bringing prohibited or illegal items in their luggage. While something minor, like carrying too much liquid, won’t land you in serious trouble, bringing a loaded firearm absolutely can. As shocking as it may sound, TSA agents regularly stop passengers who attempt to fly with weapons without following the required safety and declaration procedures.

Because this violates airport and TSA security rules, the consequences can be serious. Penalties may include temporary or permanent removal from TSA PreCheck, hefty fines, and, in severe cases, arrest. The good news is that traveling with firearms is allowed, as long as all rules and legal requirements are followed carefully.

This Common Mistake Will Result In A 5-Year TSA PreCheck Ban

The TSA recently made headlines by requiring Real IDs for boarding commercial flights. However, this is just one of many reasons a passenger might be denied boarding—and it’s an issue that can be easily fixed by bringing the proper identification. Other mistakes, though, can carry much more serious and long-term consequences.

Passengers who break airport security rules, pack prohibited or illegal items, or provide false information during identity verification risk losing their TSA PreCheck privileges. According to the TSA, the most common reason travelers have their PreCheck status revoked is for improperly traveling with weapons—specifically, attempting to carry firearms without following required regulations and procedures.

While it may surprise some travelers, a surprisingly large number of people attempt to bring firearms onto planes, often believing it is perfectly legal to do so. Since the beginning of 2025, San Antonio International Airport has reported a sharp increase in the number of loaded weapons discovered at security checkpoints. In just the first part of last year, TSA officers found more than 49 firearms at the airport, most of them loaded.

According to official TSA data, 6,678 firearms were intercepted nationwide in 2024. The airports with the highest numbers of firearm detections included Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Nashville International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Tampa International Airport.

What’s even more surprising is that people often pack their firearms in their carry-on luggage. In June 2025, the TSA official website published a press release announcing that TSA agents in Detroit had even found a hand grenade in a traveler’s luggage.

Some TSA reports show that nearly 20 weapons are confiscated daily, with people unaware of the many rules that must be followed when traveling with these potentially lethal tools. It’s important to consider that replicas are also prohibited, as they can generate chaos. So, what exactly happens when you get caught with a firearm in your bag?

What Are The Consequences Of Traveling With Firearms?

Despite the ban, some people ignore the rules and continue traveling with firearms in their bags. When this happens, people can incur heavy fines and severe penalties. Passengers will have their TSA PreCheck eligibility revoked for a minimum of five years, and may have to pay fines of up to $14,950.

In addition, every time they head to an airport, they will have to budget extra time due to the extra security checks they will have to undergo. In the worst cases, people may even get arrested. But what is TSA PreCheck?

What Is TSA PreCheck, And Should You Opt For It?

TSA PreCheck is a screening program found in about 200 airports across the U.S., allowing travelers to pass through security screening more quickly than through regular TSA checks. In this regard, the TSA official website states:

“TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. TSA PreCheck® enhances aviation security and provides a better travel experience. The program has expanded to approximately 200 airports across the country, and millions of passengers have enjoyed the benefits of this program since its inception.”

While the program is sometimes criticized by passengers, for instance, some are now claiming that the end of the shoes-off rules has resulted in extra off-shoes requests at PreCheck, it can be a great tool for those who are often at the airport. Plenty of people are eligible for this program. Some of these include the following:

Passengers who are enrolled in the program don’t need to remove their belts and light jackets, and can leave their laptops and liquids in their bags. Over 100 airlines now participate in the program, and travelers can apply for a fee of $85, valid for five years.

How Can You Legally Fly With Firearms?

While many people get their PreCheck privilege removed after trying to fly with weapons, this doesn’t necessarily mean that flying with firearms is prohibited. This is completely legal as long as you follow the law.

According to the TSA official website, travelers wanting to travel with weapons can do so by packing their firearms in their checked baggage. This is because a firearm in a carry-on bag can represent a risk to all passengers. In addition, weapons should be unloaded, and the firearm must be kept in a locked hard-sided container. The container must “completely secure the firearm from being accessed.”

For instance, all locked cases that can be opened easily are not allowed. While many think the container where the firearm was purchased may work, this is not always the case, so beware. Munitions are also prohibited from carry-on bags. Once you are at the airport, don’t forget to declare each firearm when you check in your luggage, as failure to do so may also result in complications. Lastly, ask your airlines about limitations or fees that may apply.

While traveling with firearms within the U.S. is possible, everyone should follow regulations to ensure passengers’ safety and avoid losing their PreCheck privileges.