Tampa is the top airport in the state of Florida and number seven in the country for firearms found at the airport screening checkpoint, says Lee Kair of the Transportation Security Administration.
So far this year, he says 392 banned items were found at the checkpoint. That's up 12 percent from last year.
Kair says passengers should be aware of items inside their carry-on and check with their airline to see what items are permitted to reduce the stress during the busy holiday.
"For holiday travel, you can come to the checkpoint with a wrapped gift, but remember that if something alarms inside that box we will have to unwrap it," he said. "So, it's probably in your best interest to go ahead and not wrap your present before you come to our check point and wrap them when you get to the other side."
Kair says having a concealed weapon permit does not allow passengers to bring firearms to the screening checkpoint.
He says the airport has collected 47 firearms this year, a 31 percent increase from last year. He says if you come up with a prohibited item, officials don't immediately confiscate it, you have the option of disposing it.
