TSA agents finding 22 percent more guns in airport security screenings

The government says it is finding more guns in carry-on bags at U.S. airports.

The Transportation Security Administration says officers discovered 2,212 weapons during safety screenings last year. That is 22 percent more than 2013.

The numbers are relatively small considering about 2 million people go through screenings daily. But TSA spokesman Mark Howell says the increase of 22 percent is still startling. Firearms were found at a total of 224 U.S. airports, or 19 more than the year before.

Howell says more people seem to be bringing weapons into airports in carry-on bags, most often by accident. He says the increase could be linked to more people with weapons permits and varying state laws on firearms.

Firearms can be sent through security in checked bags if they're unloaded and stored properly.