ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 145 guns in 2024 making it the most detected in a single year.

Officers detected all the firearms during the routine screening process of carry-on property at airport checkpoints. Four Virginia airports set records of gun detection at their checkpoints.

The number of guns detected at the following airports included:

• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (5 guns)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (41 guns)
• Richmond International Airport (32 guns)
• Norfolk International Airport (34 guns)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (29 guns).

As a nation, TSA officers detected a total of 6,678 firearms at checkpoints in 2024, however, this is a decrease from 2023 with 6,737 firearms detected. This marks the first annual decrease in firearms detected other than 202 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Photo Credit: Transportation Security Administration)

94% of the guns detected in 2024 were loaded.

“It was disappointing to continue to see so many travelers continue to bring their firearms to our security checkpoints,” said John Busch, TSA Federal Security Director for Reagan National Airport. “If someone wants to transport their firearm to their destination, all that we ask is that they pack it properly so that nobody has access to it during a flight.”

TSA officers continue to raise concern that most individuals who bring firearms to checkpoints claim they forgot their firearm was in their carry-on, which poses a security risk at checkpoints. Gun owners that are responsible know where their firearm is at all times.

“I commend our officers across the state for their continued focus on the mission,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Dulles International Airport. “They come to work every day, weekends, holidays on multiple shifts to ensure that people get to their destinations safely and this is a testament to the good work that they perform every day.”

Penalties for bringing firearms to a TSA checkpoint vary depending on the jurisdiction, but in Virginia, it is a criminal act to bring a gun to a checkpoint.

“We saw almost double the number of guns intercepted at our Richmond checkpoints in 2024 compared to 2023,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA Federal Security Director for southern Virginia airports. “Additionally, we saw an uptick in the number of guns people brought to our Norfolk checkpoints. Gun owners need to pay closer attention to the contents of their carry-on bags to ensure that they are not bringing a firearm to our checkpoints. Even if someone has a concealed permit to carry a firearm, it does not mean you can bring it into the cabin of a plane.”

People who possess a concealed weapons permit should be advised it is not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. However, some travelers with the right firearm permit may travel legally with their firearm in a checked bag if they follow guidelines.

It is important to know local and state firearm laws before traveling to ensure that one has the proper permits for the state they are leaving and going to. Airlines may also have different requirements regarding a firearm, so familiarizing yourself with the ammunition carriage policies is key before traveling.

Firearms are in the belly of the airplane so no one can access the firearm during travel.

Those who bring a weapon to a checkpoint can pay up to $15,000 in fines. For more information about the complete list of penalties click here.