COLUMBIA, S.C. — Travelers through South Carolina airports, like every other airport in the world, must subject their carry-on luggage to examination by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers before boarding their flights. The luggage is scanned by x-rays to determine if there are any dangerous material or objects inside the suitcase -- such as guns and ammunition.
On July 12, the TSA released the data for the total number of firearms found in carry-on luggage in South Carolina during the first six months of 2023. According to the report, TSA officers in the state's six airports with TSA checkpoints found a total of 42 firearms in travelers' carry-ons. Each firearm was discovered by TSA officers during routine screenings.
Greenville-Spartanburg International had the largest number of firearms discovered, while Florence Regional and Hilton Head Island had none to report.
Here is the breakdown, from largest South Carolina airport to smallest:
Charleston International (CHS): 11 in first half or 2023; 13 in first half of 2022; 32 total firearms in 2022
- Greenville-Spartanburg International (GSP): 19 in first half or 2023; 13 in first half of 2022; 21 total firearms in 2022
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): 5 in first half or 2023; 8 in first half of 2022; 15 total firearms in 2022
- Myrtle Beach International (MYR): 7 in first half or 2023; 4 in first half of 2022; 10 total firearms in 2022
- Florence Regional (FLO): 0 in first half or 2023; 0 in first half of 2022; 1 total firearms in 2022
- Hilton Head Island (HXD): 0 in first half or 2023; 0 in first half of 2022; 0 total firearms in 2022
South Carolina totals: 42 in first half or 2023; 38 in first half of 2022; 79 total firearms in 2022
National totals: 3,251 in first half or 2023; 3,053 in first half of 2022; 6,542 total firearms in 2022
Travelers can travel with a firearm -- if it is properly packed in checked baggage and declared at the airline ticket counter and meets any other requirement by the airline.
When a firearm is discovered in carry-on luggage, TSA officers will immediately notify local airport law enforcement to respond to the security checkpoint. The law enforcement officer removes the firearm and makes contact with the passenger.
In addition to any criminal citations, travelers could face civil penalties for bringing firearms to a security checkpoint. Civil penalties can range up to $15,000 per violation or have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time.
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
