CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped nine handguns at West Virginia airport security checkpoints in 2022, the same number of guns that were caught in 2021.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,542 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2022. It was a significant increase from the 5,972 detected in 2021 and a spike from the 4,432 detected in 2019 (pre pandemic). Of the guns caught in 2022, approximately 88 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 262 airport checkpoints nationwide.
Firearms caught by TSA at airport checkpoints in West Virginia, 2015 to 2022
West Virginia Airports
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Yeager Airport (CRW)
2
10
6
6
7
4
6
6
Tri-State Airport (HTS)
2
3
2
2
9
4
3
2
Raleigh County Memorial Airport (BKW)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW)
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
4
14
8
10
18
8
9
9
Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. However, travelers with proper firearm permits can travel legally with their firearms in their checked bags if they follow a few simple guidelines.
Top 10 airports with guns caught by TSA at checkpoints in 2022
Rank
Airport (Code)
Total
1
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
448
2
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
385
3
Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
298
4
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
213
5
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
196
6
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
162
7
Denver International Airport (DEN)
156
8
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
150
9
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
134
10
Tampa International Airport(TPA)
131
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure that they have the proper gun permits for the states that they are traveling to and from. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case. Ammunition must be in its original box and can be packed inside the hard-side case, next to the firearm. Even if the box of ammunition is not full, the bullets must be in their original case. The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative. Firearms are transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to them during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site.
Individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $15,000. The complete. In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked.
National statistics: Firearms caught by TSA at checkpoints, 2008 to 2022
Year
Nationwide
2022
6,542
2021
5,972
2020
3,257
2019
4,432
2018
4,239
2017
3,957
2016
3,391
2015
2,653
2014
2,212
2013
1,813
2012
1,556
2011
1,320
2010
1,123
2009
976
2008
926
Travelers can use the What Can I Bring? feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
