The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducted a firearm safety event at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on June 2. This initiative was part of the third annual NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) Week of Action, aimed at educating travelers about gun safety in airports and demonstrating how to properly pack firearms for air travel.
The NC S.A.F.E. program seeks to reduce gun-related incidents in North Carolina by promoting responsible firearm storage and handling, especially in busy travel areas. William Lassiter, DPS Deputy Secretary, emphasized the importance of this effort: “Promoting secure firearm storage and safe travel habits is essential to keeping North Carolinians safe.” He highlighted that collaborating with TSA provides an opportunity to educate travelers about legal requirements and best practices when traveling with firearms.
Data from January and February 2025 showed TSA officers detected 50 firearms at security checkpoints across North Carolina—an increase from the previous year. Of these, 27 were found at Charlotte Douglas International Airport alone, placing it fifth among U.S. airports for firearm detections in early 2025.
Greg Hawko, TSA Federal Security Director for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, underscored the need for passengers to be informed: “As we look ahead to our summer travel season, we want to remind passengers of the safe, legal, and correct way to travel with a firearm.” He noted that bringing firearms through checkpoints is both dangerous and costly.
For further guidance on compliant firearm transport during air travel or information on safe firearm storage practices, resources are available online.
