NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Transportation Security Administration officers say the number of firearms found in air passengers’ carry-on luggage set in 2023 set a new annual record for the state.
The TSA found 87 firearms among the six major state airports. The discoveries were made during routine screening of property at airport security checkpoints, TSA spokesman Mark Howell said.
That’s an increase of eight firearms more than 2022′s total and 15 over 2021′s total.
At Charleston International Airport, TSA agents recovered 27 firearms last year, but that figure is five fewer than 2022′s total.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport recorded the highest number of firearms found last year with a total of 32. TSA agents found 11 at Columbia Metropolitian Airport and 17 at Myrtle Beach International Airport. TSA agents did not find any handguns at Florence Regional or Hilton Head Island Airport last year.
Airport 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport 23 13 17 21 32 Charleston International Airport 18 12 30 32 27 Myrtle Beach International Airport 12 9 13 10 17 Columbia Metropolitan Airport 10 7 11 15 11 Florence Regional Airport 0 0 1 1 0 Hilton Head Island Airport 0 0 0 0 0 South Carolina Total 63 41 72 79 87 National Total 4,432 3,257 5,972 6,542 6,737
Across South Carolina, TSA agents screened approximately 7.3 million departing travelers at the six commercial state airports. That marked a 12.2% percent increase over the total screened the previous year.
Nationally, TSA screened some 858.6 million passengers and crew, a 12.7% increase over 2022′s total.
Nationwide, a firearm was detected for every 127,447 passengers screened, Howell said. But in South Carolina, the rate was even higher with one firearm discovered for every 84,349 passengers screened.
When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on an X-ray screen, its officers immediately notify airport law enforcement, 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, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount are 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.
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.
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