So many guns are found at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia — 110 so far this year, more than at any other airport — that officials raised the maximum fine to $100,000. But state law enforcement agencies are ultimately responsible for charging decisions, which means that in practice this “guidance” suggested by the TSA can be completely ignored.

“It really depends on the state,” Nico Melendez, a TSA spokesperson for the Pacific region, tells The Trace. “In the state of California, nine times out of 10, the passenger is taken into custody. In Arizona, nine times out of 10, the passenger is let go and they go put the gun in their car.”