CHARLESTON, S.C. — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at South Carolina airports discovered a total of 54 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in the first half of 2024, up from the total of 42 found during the same time period last year.
The increase is fueled largely by a significant increase in the number of firearms detected at Charleston International Airport (CHS) in the first six months of 2024, which is more than double the total for the same time period last year.
Below is a breakdown of TSA passenger screening totals and firearms found during the first six months of 2023 and 2024 at South Carolina airports:
|
Airport |
2024 throughput |
2024 firearms |
2023 throughput |
2023 firearms |
|
CHS |
1,664,105 |
24 |
1,562,232 |
11 |
|
MYR |
941,089 |
8 |
789,607 |
7 |
|
GSP |
729,269 |
14 |
671,859 |
19 |
|
CAE |
382,494 |
8 |
308,422 |
5 |
|
FLO |
13,651 |
0 |
11,694 |
0 |
|
HXD |
55,463 |
0 |
51,152 |
0 |
|
S.C. total |
3,786,071 |
54 |
3,394,966 |
42 |
|
U.S. total: |
443,144,868 |
3,269 |
413,122,354 |
3,251 |
TSA screened approximately 443.1 million passengers and crew at airports across the country between Jan. 1 and June 30 of this year. That figure represents a 7.3 percent increase over the approximately 413.1 million screened in the first six months of 2023.
Statewide in 2024, TSA screened nearly 6.84 million departing travelers at South Carolina airports—an increase of nearly 11.5 percent over the 2023 total.
Nationwide, a firearm was detected for every 135,560 passengers screened. In South Carolina, the rate was much higher with one firearm discovered for every 70,113 passengers screened.
When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray screen, TSA immediately notifies the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler. What happens to the firearm and the traveler is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency.
In addition to potential criminal citations or arrest by local law enforcement, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of nearly $15,000 per violation.
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have TSA PreCheck® eligibility revoked for a period of up to five years and will receive enhanced screening during future travels.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is also available.
Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.