Officials from the Transportation Security Administration have expressed concerns about the frequency of passengers carrying handguns to Southern Texas airport security checkpoints, including those in San Antonio International Airport.

TSA revealed its concerns in an April 7 news release. San Antonio Airports Director Jesus H. Saenz Jr. says that while the number of firearms found at the San Antonio airport has decreased over the past few years, TSA is still reminding passengers to make safe choices. As of March 31, there had been 22 firearm catches at SAT, while there were 36 total across the various Southern Texas Airports for 2022 thus far.

“You could face criminal penalties on top of federal civil citations that can be extremely costly," said Jes Presas, TSA San Antonio airport federal security director. "My advice is to not make the mistake of bringing your gun to the checkpoint in the first place. We’re happy to help transport your firearm. All we ask is that you pack it safely and properly for your flight.”

Firearm possession laws vary between localities, and passengers are responsible for making sure they don't violate local laws. Individuals may also wish to contact their airline, as they have additional requirements in regards to firearms and ammunition.