TSA firearm discoveries at North Carolina security checkpoints down overall in 2022

Local Press Release
Thursday, January 19, 2023

CHARLOTTE - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at North Carolina airports discovered a total of 250 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in 2022, down slightly from the total of 254 found in 2021.

Despite the statewide decrease in firearms, Charlotte Douglas International and Asheville Regional airports both saw all-time highs for firearm detections at their security checkpoints last year.

Below is a breakdown of TSA firearm discoveries for the past five years at North Carolina airports:

Airport

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Charlotte Douglas Int'l (CLT)

76

74

55

106

117

Raleigh-Durham Int'l (RDU)

66

70

33

100

74

Asheville Regional (AVL)

2

13

5

15

25

Piedmont Triad Int’l (GSO)

14

18

6

12

15

Wilmington Int'l (ILM)

7

9

3

6

5

Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ)

4

2

1

5

5

Fayetteville Regional (FAY)

6

3

2

4

3

Concord-Padgett Regional (JQF)

4

1

0

4

3

Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN)

0

4

0

2

3

Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV)

1

0

0

0

0

North Carolina total:

180

194

105

254

250

Nationwide total:

4,239

4,432

3,257

5,972

6,542

In 2022, TSA screened approximately 761 million passengers and crew at airports nationwide. That figure represents a nearly 30 percent increase over the approximately 585 million screened in 2021.

Statewide in 2022, TSA screened approximately 19.79 million departing travelers at North Carolina airports, an increase of more than 27 percent over the 2021 total.

Nationwide, a firearm was detected for every 116,394 passengers screened. In North Carolina, the rate was even higher with one firearm discovered for every 79,167 passengers screened.

In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint and TSA evaluates each firearm incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.

The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of near $15,000 per violation. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.

Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.

At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.

TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is also available.

Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Additional Background

Top 10 airports for TSA checkpoint firearm detections in 2022

Rank

Airport (Code)

Total

1

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

 448

2

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

 385

3

Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

 298

4

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

 213

5

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

 196

6

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

 162

7

Denver International Airport (DEN)

 156

8

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

 150

9

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

 134

10

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

 131

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