Consumer News: TSA releases report of guns found in SC airports last year, Tips to keep your home warm and electric bill down and more

Consumer News with ABC Columbia is brought to you by Grow Financial.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The Transportation Security Administration has set a new record for the number of firearms found at airports last year. The TSA says it seized 5,972 guns at security checks in 2021. The previous record came in 2019. The majority of guns found them were loaded. It was an expensive mistake for passengers who did not properly pack their firearms, facing anywhere from $3,000-$10,000 in fines.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– A new report released by the Transportation Security Administration says South Carolina reached a new annual record for the amount of firearms found in carry-on luggage in 2021. The TSA says 72 firearms were found in carry-on luggage in the state. Each firearm was found by TSA officers during routine screening at security checkpoints, according to officials. At the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, 11 firearms were reported in 2021, compared to seven in 2020. Across the nation, the TSA says 5,972 firearms were discovered in carry-ons last year. Officials report, about 585 million passengers were screened in 2021, compared to approximately 324 million screened in 2020. You can read the TSA’s full report on 2021 at tsa.gov.

ABC NEWS– Between the freezing winter weather, increasing COVID-19 cases and remote learning from our living rooms, many of us are spending more time at home these days. This means we are using much more energy than normal. The Energy Information Administration estimates we are using nearly 10% more than this time last year. How can we stay warm inside and still keep cash in our wallets? ABC’s Becky Worley has some simple changes you can make right now to save big on those electrical bills.