COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered one loaded and one unloaded firearm at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) checkpoints today.
At 5:30 a.m., a loaded Kimber Micro 9mm handgun was detected in a passenger’s carry-on bag. At 1:00 p.m., an unloaded .22 caliber Ruger SR22P was discovered in a different passenger’s carry-on.
In both incidents, TSA immediately alerted airport police, who took possession of the bags and escorted the passengers out of the checkpoint area.
Firearms may be transported in checked baggage if they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded. They are prohibited in carry-on bags of any flight.
Passengers should begin their journey by packing an empty bag. This ensures that each item is touched and guards against carrying dangerous weapons or prohibited items into the TSA checkpoint..
Security is the primary concern of the TSA, and having these items in bags that are traveling with you on the aircraft is dangerous to the air crew and other travelers. This act can be easily mistaken as an intentional attempt to bring a prohibited item onto an aircraft.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of all of their carry-on bags,” said Sonny Lorrius, TSA Regional Spokesperson. “Before leaving your home or your vehicle, please thoroughly examine the contents of all of your bags before coming to the airport to ensure no illegal or prohibited items are present.”
This is the 6th and 7th firearm detected by TSA officers at CMH security checkpoints in 2020. A total of 29 were detected there last year.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/civil-enforcement
For more information about TSA prohibited items, please follow these links: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition