Does the TSA auction off confiscated items?

They are stored by the TSA and some state governments sell them off in online auctions to generate revenue. If you check out these auctions, you might find something similar to the item that was confiscated from you, or maybe, if the stars align, you could spot your own item.



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There are vast amounts of weapons seized in airports each year. These confiscated weapons, such as loaded firearms, unlicensed guns, and dangerous weapons, are usually destroyed, kept as prosecution's evidence, auctioned on eBay, or sold at a state surplus warehouse store.

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Depending on the confiscated items in question, some are donated to local non-profits and schools. Many confiscated items like toiletries and liquids are disposed of through paid contractors that work directly with airports.

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Some confiscated items are put up directly for sale though, and you can find it on the websites for direct purchase. The state surplus auctions are held regularly, and if you're planning to show up for it, it's definitely best to check if you have to register beforehand.

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There are vast amounts of weapons seized in airports each year. These confiscated weapons, such as loaded firearms, unlicensed guns, and dangerous weapons, are usually destroyed, kept as prosecution's evidence, auctioned on eBay, or sold at a state surplus warehouse store.

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Check out 2022's most confiscated items below.
  • Fentanyl candy wrappers found at LAX airport (Los Angeles International Airport)
  • Gun inside of a raw chicken at FLL airport (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport)
  • Handgun found inside jars of peanut butter at JFK airport (John F.


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Lock your gun case before you and the counter agent take it to be checked by TSA. Stay in the immediate area. If TSA needs the case opened for some reason or has questions, you must be present. At most airports you can stand in an area that provides you with a visual of the space where TSA checks special baggage.

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From a pen gun to a gun hidden in peanut butter, an additional 570 firearms were found at security checkpoints in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the latest data from the national agency. Last year, 6,542 firearms were found in carry-on bags at more than 260 airports.

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For example, TSA guidance is very clear: If prohibited items are found during security checks, they won't be returned to their owners. That may vary in other countries, but the general rule is that confiscations are permanent.

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As a result, prohibited items may result in both a TSA civil enforcement action and a criminal enforcement action. Before leaving home, remember to check your baggage to ensure you are not carrying any prohibited items to avoid a possible arrest and/or civil penalties.

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A record 6,542 guns — 18 a day — were intercepted at U.S. airport security in 2022. A television displays a no guns sign at the Transportation Security Administration security area at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Atlanta.

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Airports, like the small cities they are, must deal with occasional criminal offenses, such as disorderly conduct, theft and public intoxication. And sometimes, the police take the offenders to the airport jail. That's right.

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Which airports seized the most guns in 2022?
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - 448.
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - 385.
  • Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - 298.
  • Nashville International Airport (BNA) - 213.
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 196.


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If you have experienced a loss or damage to your property and you feel that this loss or damage occurred as a direct result of negligence by a TSA employee, you may file a claim with TSA.

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How to apply for Clear. You can apply for Clear online or at an airport Clear kiosk by showing valid government-issued identification. Unlike TSA PreCheck, there is no background check needed to apply for Clear, although you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident 18 or older.

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According to TSA, agents find one firearm for roughly every 116,394 passengers screened at security checkpoints.

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Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

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Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.

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