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Report: more guns being detected at Tampa Bay area airports

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The federal Transportation Security Administration has found more guns so far this year than during all of last year at airports nationwide, and Tampa International Airport leads the state.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that in Florida, the number of guns found by airport security has risen from 411 last year to 440 this year.

Firearms are allowed only if unloaded, secured in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage and declared to the airline at the ticket counter. They are banned in carry-on bags.

Authorities say most people found with guns at an airport have licenses for the weapons but forgot they had them in their bag.

In Tampa, authorities have found 86 guns through Monday, compared to 79 for all of 2016 and 49 for 2015.

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