MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced officers have stopped 18 handguns at Wisconsin airport security checkpoints from Jan. 1 through Jun 30, 2023. 

In the same time period last year, 12 firearms were stopped. 

According to a news release, nationwide, TSA officers intercepted 3,251 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first half of the year -- that's an average of 18 firearms per day. The TSA says 92% of the weapons recovered were loaded.

• Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE): 10
• Appleton International (ATW): 5
• Green Bay Austin Straubel Field (GRB): 1
• Dane County Regional (MSN): 2

“As summer travel ramps up, we continue to see far too many passengers bringing firearms to the checkpoint,” Wisconsin TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay said. “This is a careless, expensive mistake that introduces unnecessary risk into the crowded checkpoint environment. We hope to see these figures decline in the second half of the year.”

The trend continues as TSA says in the first week of July, firearms were detected on July 4 in Milwaukee and July 6 in Appleton. 

The TSA recommends that passengers pack an empty bag. Prior to packing an empty bag, check TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool to know what is prohibited.