On February 25, 2025, TSA officers at CLT stopped this loaded 9mm from getting onto an aircraft. (TSA Photo)
CHARLOTTE – In January and February of 2025, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected 50 firearms at security checkpoints across North Carolina. This marks an increase of 18 firearms compared to the same period in 2024.
All 50 firearms were found to be loaded, with 26 having a round chambered at the time of detection. This underscores the continued need for public education and increased awareness about the rules and regulations governing firearm transport through airports.
“TSA is committed to keeping passengers safe while traveling,” said Gregory Hawko, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Charlotte Douglas. “I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to travel with a loaded firearm in a carry-on bag. There are clear and straightforward rules for flying with firearms, and we want to ensure passengers understand them to avoid delays, fines, and potential legal consequences.”
He added that gun owners should visit the TSA website for instructions on how to properly travel with a firearm.
TSA Firearm Detections at North Carolina Airports (2023-2025) (Jan-Feb)
(Note: TSA officers do not confiscate firearms)
| CODE | AIRPORT | 2025 Jan-Feb | 2024 Jan-Feb | 2023 Jan-Feb |
| CLT | Charlotte/Douglas International | 27 | 17 | 16 |
| RDU | Raleigh-Durham International | 14 | 9 | 14 |
| AVL | Asheville Regional | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| GSO | Piedmont Triad International | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ILM | Wilmington International | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| EWN | Coastal Carolina Regional | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FAY | Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| OAJ | Albert J Ellis | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| JQF | Concord-Padgett Regional | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| PGV | Pitt-Greenville | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 50 | 32 | 42 |
CLT’s 27 firearm detections rank 5th nationally in 2025. They ranked 13th nationally with 117 firearm detections in all of 2024.
Top 10 airports Nationally for firearm detections (Jan-Feb 2025)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International - 60
Dallas/Fort Worth International - 59
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental - 46
Phoenix Sky Harbor International - 34
Charlotte-Douglas International - 27
Tampa International - 26
Austin-Bergstrom International - 25
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International - 23
Nashville International - 21
Salt Lake City International - 19
When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSOs immediately contact local law enforcement, who then remove the passenger and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the passenger. TSA does not confiscate firearms.
In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to approximately $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
In some cities, local law enforcement may file criminal charges against travelers who bring firearms to the TSA checkpoint. TSA will assess civil penalties that vary by number of previous offenses and whether the firearm was loaded at the time. The complete list of penalties is posted online. Firearms are not permitted in the passenger cabin of an airplane; this includes travelers with a concealed weapon permit.
Airline passengers can fly with firearms in checked baggage if the firearms are properly packed and declared at check-in. However, firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure they transport guns in accordance with applicable laws.
Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.
For more information on how to properly travel with a firearm, visit: The transporting firearms and ammunition page on TSA.gov. You can also view the complete list of penalties on TSA.gov.