This handgun was detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) on Dec. 5. (TSA photo)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a man from carrying a loaded .380 caliber handgun with 8 bullets onto an airplane at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Saturday, Dec. 5.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., a TSA officer detected the gun in the local man’s carry-on bag. TSA officials immediately alerted the Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police Department and an officer responded and took possession of the weapon and escorted the passenger and weapon away from the checkpoint.
“The holiday travel season is upon us and loaded firearms continue to put our TSA officers at an unnecessary risk,” said Don Barker, TSA Federal Security Director for Ohio. “Please pack from an empty luggage and carry-on bag to ensure prohibited items are not included in your belongings and always know the location of your firearm and ammunition.”
TSA issues civil penalties to travelers who bring guns to a checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of civil penalties is on the TSA website. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges for a period of time.
This is the 14th firearm detected at CMH this year. A total of 29 were detected at CMH security checkpoints last year.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.