RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Across the first two months of 2025, Transportation Security Administration officers have detected 50 firearms — all loaded — at checkpoints at North Carolina airports.
According to TSA, that’s 18 more than were found in the same period in the state in 2024. In addition to all 50 being found loaded, 26 of them had “a round chambered at the time of detection”, TSA said.
The majority of the weapons — 27 — were found at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, NC’s largest transportation hub. Raleigh-Durham International Airport had the second-highest number of firearms found at 14, followed by Asheville Regional Airport with four and Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro with three. One weapon each was found at Wilmington International and Coastal Carolina Regional in New Bern, TSA said.
The number of firearms found at CLT so far put them fifth in the nation for the first two months of the year. Last year, a total of 117 were found at Charlotte’s airport, ranking them 13th across the nation. While the number found so far at RDU is more than the amount detected in the same period in 2024, it matches the same number found in January and February of 2023.
But the increase across the state “underscores the continued need for public education and increased awareness about the rules and regulations governing firearm transport through airports”, TSA said in a news release.
“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.”
Before traveling, gun owners should visit the TSA website to learn how to travel with a firearm properly.
TSA firearm detections at NC airports — January-February, 2023-2025
| Airport (Code) | Jan.-Feb. 2025 | Jan.-Feb. 2024 | Jan.-Feb. 2023 |
| Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) | 27 | 17 | 16 |
| Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) | 14 | 9 | 14 |
| Asheville Regional (AVL) | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Piedmont Triad International (GSO) | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Wilmington International (ILM) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fayetteville Regional (FAY) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Albert J Ellis (OAJ) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Concord-Padgett Regional | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pitt-Greenville (PGV) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 50 | 32 | 42 |
Top 10 airports nationally for firearm detections — January-February 2025
| Airport (Code) | # of firearms |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) | 60 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) | 59 |
| Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) | 46 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) | 34 |
| Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) | 27 |
| Tampa International (TPA) | 26 |
| Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) | 25 |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) | 23 |
| Nashville International (BNA) | 21 |
| Salt Lake City International (SLC) | 19 |
