CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Transportation Security Administration says that compared to previous years, they have seen a spike in the number of firearms found at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in 2021.
A total of 106 firearms were found in carry-on bags at Charlotte-Douglas last year.
This figure nearly doubles the 55 firearms found in 2020; however, before the pandemic in 2018 and 2019, there were fewer than 80 firearms found each year.
In North Carolina, one firearm was discovered for every 61,275 passengers screened. This is higher than the national rate of one firearm per 97,999 passengers.
If a firearm is found in your carry-on, you could face a large fine and a temporary suspension of TSA PreCheck in addition to any criminal citations.
Firearms should only be transported in checked luggage, unloaded, and locked.
See the TSA’s requirements on firearms here.
If you are ever in doubt about what is allowed through security, the TSA recommends you use their “What Can I Bring?” feature on their website or app. You can also tweet @AskTSA with any questions, including sending a picture of the items.
