Hundreds of guns were found at North Carolina airports in 2024
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Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Hundreds of guns were found at North Carolina airports in 2024, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Why it matters: Most of these firearms were loaded. While firearm possession laws vary nationwide, in order to fly with one, it must be in your checked bag and declared at check-in.
By the numbers: 250 guns were discovered in carry-on luggage at airports across the state in 2024 — 240 of which were loaded. The total number of firearms discovered in carry-ons last year was up 12 from 2023 and equal to the number of firearms found statewide in 2022.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, saw a decrease in firearm detection, dropping to 117 in 2024 compared to 124 in 2023. CLT, however, remains No. 1 in the state for guns found.
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport had 89 guns found compared to 76 in 2023.
- North Carolina's eight other reporting airports accounted for 16 firearms or fewer last year.
Zoom out: Nationally, firearm detection decreased from 6,737 to 6,678, per TSA.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the top airport for firearm detections with 440. CLT ranks 13th, dropping two spots from No. 11 in 2023. RDU came in at No. 19.
Between the lines: TSA does not confiscate firearms but rather notifies law enforcement when a gun appears during a security screening. Law enforcement removes the gun, contacts the traveler and determines next steps.
- TSA has guidelines for traveling with a firearm.
What they're saying: "TSA and local law enforcement get all kinds of excuses/explanations, but the number one every year from passengers is that they simply forgot the firearm was in their possession," TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez tells Axios.