Some simple statistics:

In 2017 alone:

• 771,556,886 passengers traveled securely through 440 federalized airports.
  
  
• Within that number, 3,957 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across 239 airports (that's 76.1 firearms per week or 10.8 firearms per day).
  
  
• This is a 16.7 percent (556 more) increase in firearm discoveries over 2016’s total of 3,391.
  
  
• 3,324 (84 percent) of the total firearms discovered in 2017 were loaded.
  
  
• 1,378 (34.8 percent) of the total firearms discovered in 2017 had a round chambered.
  

While not often covered by the mainstream media, DHS/TSA security responsibilities extend far beyond airport screening areas to include
countless miles of roadway, railroad track, bridges and tunnels. Within the surface transportation systems, DHS/TSA, along with industry partners, safeguard all four general modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier and pipeline, as well as maritime security efforts.

Though the impact of the government shutdown varies by sector and specific job responsibilities, it is important to understand there is a growing impact on national security.. "Non-essential" personnel across the government have been staying home on furlough, while "essential" personnel, which includes many in law enforcement, have been working for no pay.

To illustrate the impact, consider just two non-specific, though very real, scenarios:

DHS/FBI are collaborating on a pressing terrorism investigation (currently numbering more than 1000 open investigations across all 50 states). Because of the furlough, some specialized analysts and techs are not available, resulting in significant delays or agents themselves (also unpaid), where possible, filling in. The shutdown also impacts their ability to travel, cover investigative expenses, etc..

OR,

Border Patrol agents being forced to release some of those who are apprehended crossing the border illegally because there are no courts available to hear their cases.

Our message to AlertsUSA subscribers is simple:

Your level of caution and vigilance should be heightened during this period, particularly if you are using mass transit of any kind.