CHARLOTTE, NC – The Transportation Security Administration says its officers found 27 firearms at security checkpoints at Charlotte Douglas Airport in January and February.
That’s compared to 17 during the same time in 2024 and 16 in 2023.
“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.”
The TSA says 50 firearms were discovered at airport security checkpoints across North Carolina in January and February. That’s an increase of 18 firearms compared to the same period in 2024.
All 50 firearms were loaded, with 26 having a round chambered at the time of detection.
Charlotte’s airport topped the list with the most firearms found, followed by 14 firearms discovered at Raleigh-Durham International.
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.
