Somebody apparently thinks that far too many travelers in America have started trying to get on planes with loaded guns.

TSA officers have found 6,301 firearms in carry-on bags so far this year, surpassing the previous record of 5,972 detected in 2021. The numbers have been increasing steadily over the last decade; in 2012, 1,549 firearms were detected at security checkpoints.

Eighty-eight percent of the guns found this year were loaded, the TSA said.

Firearm possession laws vary by location, but guns are never allowed in carry-on bags at any airport security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed-weapon permit.

The solution proposed is as dumb as the people carrying a loaded gun into a security checkpoint.

The TSA said Friday it’s raising the maximum fine to $14,950. Previously it was $13,910.

Adding 8% as a penalty is barely an adjustment for inflation. I’ve seen cartons of milk go up in cost faster.

What the TSA should do is revoke the permit to carry a gun from those who aren’t able to carry one safely. Isn’t that the real purpose of a safety screening anyway, to make everyone safer?