The Transportation Security Administration found a record number of firearms in carry-on bags at airports in 2014. They found a few unusual items hidden in luggage as well. VPC 
 
 Airport security agents in California stopped a passenger who was accidentally carrying an 8.5-inch knife in an enchilada. (Photo: Transportation Security Administration) 
 
 WASHINGTON — A record 2,212 firearms — most of them loaded — were discovered in travelers' carry-on bags at U.S. airports last year, according to 2014 statistics released today by the Department of Homeland Security. 
 
 Transportation Security Administration officers found an average of six firearms per day in passengers' carry-on bags or on their bodies. More than 80% of the guns were loaded. The total number of firearms discovered at airport security checkpoints rose 22% from 2013, the DHS statistics show. 
 
 The No. 1 excuse given by passengers going through airport checkpoints with guns was that they forget they had the firearms with them. 
 
 When TSA officers find the guns, they call in police officers working at the airport. Police interview the passengers to see whether their guns are licensed and determine whether or not they should be arrested. The gun-toting passengers face thousands of dollars in federal fines. 
 
 Travelers with licensed guns are allowed to pack their unloaded firearms into checked bags only. 
 
 The top five airports for firearms discoveries in 2014 were Dallas/Fort Worth International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Denver International Airport. 
 
 A TSA officer screens airline passengers in Terminal C at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 2009. Dallas Fort Worth was one of the top five airports for firearm discoveries last year. (Photo: Tom Pennington, Getty Images) 
 
 An additional 1,400 dangerous objects — including stun guns, knives, razors and firearm components — were discovered. 
 
 Among the more unusual finds: 
 
 •An 8.5-inch knife was discovered inside an enchilada a woman traveler was carrying at the Sonoma County Airport in California. The TSA determined that the woman had no malicious intent. She had simply forgotten she had put the knife in with her food. 
 
 •A hand grenade was discovered in a carry-on bag at Los Angeles International Airport. A terminal was closed while the bomb squad took the grenade away to be defused. Five flights were delayed for more than 200 hours, affecting 800 passengers. 
 
 •A traveler was caught concealing small knives inside a combination pen/highlighter at the Philadelphia International Airport. 
 
 Weapons weren't the only contraband discovered by federal agents. 
 
 Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 23,000 counterfeit goods with a retail value of more than $1.2 billion last year. 
 
 The agency seized more than $10 million in counterfeit Beats by Dre headphones, more than $1 million in counterfeit Gibson, Les Paul and other brand-name guitars, and more than $1 million in counterfeit soccer apparel with fake trademarks from popular teams such as Real Madrid, Celtic and Chelsea. 
 
 Despite the record number of firearms discovered by TSA, about 99% of airline passengers waited 20 minutes or less in airport security lines last year, the DHS statistics show. 
 
 That was partly because of increased enrollment in TSA Precheck and trusted-traveler programs run by Customs and Border Protection. Those programs allow pre-screened, low-risk passengers to go through expedited security screening lanes and customs lines. 
 
 More than 40% of airline passengers received some form of expedited screening in 2014. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1JqohDo ||||| Three firearms discovered at Indianapolis airport checkpoints Wednesday Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:21 PM EST Updated: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:21 PM EST 
 
 The Transportation Security Administration is reminding passengers to check their carry-ons before heading to the airport - that's after three firearms were discovered Wednesday alone at airport checkpoints at Indianapolis International Airport. 
 
 TSA agents found an unloaded Sig Sauer .380 caliber and an unloaded Smith & Wesson .38 in a passenger's carry-on bag early Wednesday. The passenger properly packed and locked the firearms in a hard-sided case, but inadvertently brought the firearms to the checkpoint instead of declaring them with the airline and checking the case. The passenger was not cited or arrested. 
 
 Also Wednesday morning, a loaded Keltec .380 handgun was discovered in a different passenger's carry-on bag. TSA immediately alerted airport police, who took possession of the bag and arrested the passenger on a state charge. 
 
 Passengers are allowed to take firearms on a flight provided they're in checked baggage, declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded). They are prohibited in carry-on bags. 
 
 The TSA says it's up to passengers to search their bags for any potentially dangerous weapons or other prohibited items before heading to the airport. Having such an item can be easily mistaken as an intentional attempt to bring a prohibited item onto an aircraft. 
 
 A total of five firearms have been discovered at a security checkpoint by TSA officers at IND this year. A total of 25 firearms were found at IND checkpoints in 2014, up from 16 in 2013. 
 
 Know before you fly
– "Oops, I forgot I packed that loaded gun." That's the excuse TSA agents heard more than a few times upon discovering 2,212 firearms in people's carry-on luggage at airports last year. That's 22% more than were found in 2013; just 660 firearms turned up in 2005. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents discovered an average of six guns each day in carry-ons or on a passenger's body. More than 80% were loaded, USA Today reports. When police interviewed the travelers, who face thousands in fines, the most popular excuse was that they'd forgotten the guns were there. Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, and Dallas international airports saw the most firearm discoveries. Passengers are allowed to pack firearms in checked baggage, provided the guns aren't loaded. Another 1,400 "dangerous objects" were also discovered last year. Among the more bizarre finds: a hand grenade, as well as an 8.5-inch knife inside an enchilada. In the case of the former, an LAX terminal was closed while a bomb squad intervened. In the latter case, the TSA determined the woman carrying the food forgot she put the knife inside. Stun guns, razors, firearm components, a pen/highlighter hiding small knives, and $1.2 billion in counterfeit goods—including $10 million worth of counterfeit Beats by Dre headphones—were also found. Three guns were spotted at Indianapolis International Airport on Wednesday alone, WTHR reports.