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While Transportation Security Administration agents seized a record-breaking 2,212 firearms from carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country in 2014, Hawaii airports were at the low end of the spectrum.
TSA agents found just two guns at Hawaii airports, both of which were discovered at Honolulu Airport, Nico Melendez, TSA public affairs manager, said in an email response to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
But the 2,212 firearms translates to an average of six guns found at an airport every day somewhere in the United States in 2014, up 22 percent from 1,813 firearms in 2013.
"Of those detected, 83 percent were loaded," the Department of Homeland Security said in a news release Friday.
They also found in carry-on luggage 1,400 firearm components, replica firearms, stun guns, and other similar dangerous objects.
The top five airports for firearm discoveries in 2014 were located in Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Colorado, states known for their liberal gun laws.
They are:
» Dallas/Fort Worth Airport: 120.
» Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport: 109.
» Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport: 78.
» Houston George Bush Airport: 77.
» Denver Airport: 70.
In 2013, Hawaii ranked No. 6 among the top 10 states with the strongest gun laws by the Brady Campaign, the nation’s largest citizens’ lobby to prevent gun violence.
It ranked first among the top 10 with the lowest gun death rates.
The Brady Campaign gave a failing grade to Texas, Georgia and Arizona in 2013, and a "C" grade to Colorado.