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TSA agents find record number of guns at airports including Jacksonville's

So far this year, Transportation Security Administration officers in Jacksonville stopped 46 guns from getting through the checkpoint.

That’s up from 39 last year, 33 in 2016 and 25 in 2015.

TSA calls the steady increase “disturbing and dangerous.”

Traveler Priyanka Patel said it’s concerning.

“There’s plenty of signage out there. It’s the responsibility of a firearm holder to know that,” said Patel.

Action News Jax spotted clearly marked signage at the ticket counter in front of United Airlines, but none were visible from our vantage point closer to the checkpoint.

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TSA said there's a sign before you show your ID and boarding pass, when you still have time to go back to your car to drop off your weapons.

Patel said some airlines take it a step further.

“When I was walking in on Southwest, they tell you, (that) you have to register your firearms or let them know,” said Patel.

Last Friday, TSA officers in Jacksonville stopped a loaded handgun from making it on board.

That find was included in the 93 firearms found in airports across the country last week alone. Of those, 76 were loaded, and 29 had a round in the chamber.

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What’s even more concerning are the lapses. Not all weapons are spotted, although TSA said it’s rare that it misses one.

Next week is the busiest travel week of the year.

As airports get busier, TSA said it’s doing its best to keep passengers safe.

If you really need to travel with your firearm, you can’t take it in your carry-on, but you may be able to take it in your checked luggage. Check with your airline if you have any questions.