Gun Possession at Nashville Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finds thousands of guns in passengers’ possession each year. Nashville International Airport ranks high on this list, with hundreds of guns being confiscated annually.

If you have been arrested for gun possession at an airport, hiring legal counsel is your best chance to reduce your charges. Our criminal defense attorneys in Nashville, TN, have ample experience in negotiating plea bargains to afford you the least severe punishment.

Tennessee Gun Laws at Airports

Before checking your bag, please leave any firearms at home. Even though Tennessee is a permit-less carry state, firearms are not permitted in your carry-on bags, and being charged with gun possession in this setting can result in severe criminal charges.

If you are found in possession of a gun at an airport, lacking the intent to commit a felony, you will likely be charged with a violation of airport and aircraft security. This is a class A misdemeanor, which carries a potential prison sentence of 11 months and 29 days, with a maximum fine of $2,500. You may also be required to surrender the firearm.

Passengers traveling through an international airport are subject to the jurisdiction of both federal and state laws. In certain circumstances, a person may face federal penalties, which can include a fine of up to $14,950, as well as potential criminal charges.

Only certain law enforcement officers are allowed to carry a firearm on an aircraft. The TSA does make an exception, allowing passengers to carry unloaded firearms in a locked, hard-sided container. The firearm must be separate from ammunition. However, you must declare the firearm when you check your luggage.

What Action is Taken by TSA When a Gun is Detected?

2023 was a record-setting year for guns being detected at security checkpoints. When a firearm is detected, a TSA officer will immediately notify law enforcement. TSA does not confiscate the weapons, but leaves the interception to the authorities.

If a person has lost their right to possess a firearm, the individual may be charged with a felony if that right has not yet been restored. Even more, if a person is carrying a firearm with the intent of committing a crime on the airplane, then this is a class E felony. If convicted, you may be sentenced to up to six years in prison, along with a potential fine of $3,000.

Speak with a Nashville Gun Crime Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with gun possession at Nashville Airport, you must speak with a Nashville gun crime attorney immediately. Our gun crime attorneys can help reduce or, in some cases, drop the charges against you. This will likely be negotiated as part of a plea bargain.

The best thing you can do after being found with an illegal gun possession at the airport is to contact a criminal defense attorney. Many defendants believe they can save money by representing themselves, but this often results in devastating consequences. Contact the office today online or by calling 615-256-6666 to schedule your free consultation.