A record 81 firearms were found in passengers' carry-on bags from Aug. 12 to Aug. 18, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday. Seventy were loaded, 31 of which had a live bullet in the chamber. Photo courtesy TSA

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- More firearms were found and confiscated from passengers' carry-on bags last week than in any other week in TSA history, the agency said Tuesday.

From Aug. 12 to Aug. 18, a total of 81 guns were found by screeners, a TSA blog post said Tuesday. The agency said 70 were loaded and 11 were unloaded. Of the 70 loaded, 31 had a live round in the chamber ready to fire.


The previous record, 78, was set the week before.

The weapons were confiscated at various U.S. airports, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Washington-Dulles, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, Chicago-Midway and Phoenix.

"In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly in carry-on bags, our officers also regularly find firearm components, realistic replica firearms, bb and pellet guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, stun guns, small pocketknives and many other prohibited items too numerous to note," the TSA said in the blog post.

"Each time we find a dangerous item, the line is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. The passenger can face a penalty as high as $11,000," the agency added. "This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home."

In addition to the firearms, TSA screeners also confiscated a number of other prohibited items last week -- including throwing knives, two swords and a throwing star.