Per the TSA: “Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 105 handguns at airport security checkpoints in the Baltimore/Washington region in 2023, a notable increase of 16 beyond the 89 guns caught in 2022. Each of the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.
Baltimore topped the list of local airports with 42 handguns caught at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; 39 caught at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and 24 at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2023. It was a significant increase from the 6,542 detected in 2022. Of the guns caught in 2023, approximately 93 percent were loaded. Firearms were caught at 265 airport checkpoints nationwide.
TSA firearms catches at airport checkpoints in the Baltimore/Washington region, 2016 to 2023
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.”