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How The Number of Guns At North Carolina Airports In 2022 Compares To Previous Years

There are so many rules for TSA and many of them seem to vary by where you’re flying out of. But one of the most consistent, and obvious, is don’t…

Guns North Carolina airports

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 18: Toy guns are displayed after being confiscated at airport security checkpoints at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season.

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

There are so many rules for TSA and many of them seem to vary by where you're flying out of. But one of the most consistent, and obvious, is don't try to bring a gun. Regardless people still do, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In a report released this week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at North Carolina airports discovered a total of 250 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in 2022. This number is down slightly from the 254 found in 2021. While it's good news for the state as a whole, Charlotte, unfortunately, did see an increase. Leading North Carolina, Charlotte Douglas International saw an all-time high of 117 guns at security checkpoints in 2022.

Yeah, that's definitely going to cause you to miss your flight. TSA says that "in addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint and TSA evaluates each firearm incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors, TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition." So missing your flight is the least of your concerns at that point.

Statewide in 2022, TSA screened approximately 19.79 million departing travelers at North Carolina airports. This was more than 27 percent higher than the 2021 total. Nationwide, a firearm was detected for every 116,394 passengers screened. In North Carolina, the rate was even higher with one firearm discovered for every 79,167 passengers screened. While it's a small number comparatively it is a little scary that the number is that high. Heck, I'm scared something in my makeup or toiletry bag is 3.2 ounces instead of less than 3.

Below you'll find a breakdown of the total of guns found at North Carolina airports as well as numbers for individual airports.

North Carolina Totals

2018: 180

2019: 194

2020: 105

2021: 254

2022: 250

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Location: Charlotte

2018: 180

2019: 194

2020: 105

2021: 254

2022: 250

Raleigh Durham International (RDU)

Location: Raleigh

2018: 66

2019: 70

2020: 33

2021: 100

2022: 74

Asheville Regional (AVL)

Location: Asheville

2018: 2

2019: 13

2020: 5

2021: 15

2022: 25

Piedmont Triad International (GSO)

Location: Greensboro

2018: 14

2019: 18

2020: 6

2021: 12

2022: 15

Wilmington International (ILM)

Location: Wilmington

2018: 7

2019: 9

2020: 3

2021: 6

2022: 5

Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ)

Location: Jacksonville

2018: 4

2019: 2

2020: 1

2021: 5

2022: 5

Fayetteville Regional (FAY)

Location: Fayetteville

2018: 6

2019: 3

2020: 2

2021: 4

2022: 4

Concord-Padgett Regional (JQF)

Location: Concord

2018: 4

2019: 1

2020: 0

2021: 4

2022: 3

Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN)

Location: New Bern

2018: 0

2019: 4

2020: 0

2021: 2

2022: 3

Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV)

Location: Greenville

2018: 1

2019: 0

2020: 0

2021: 0

2022: 0

Nationwide Totals

2018: 4,239

2019: 4,432

2020: 3,257

2021: 5,972

2022: 6,542

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.