This handgun was detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) on Feb. 11. (TSA photo)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped two firearms from making their way onboard airplanes at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in separate incidents over the weekend.
The first incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. A passenger presented their property for screening, and a TSA officer detected the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen. TSA officials immediately alerted Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police. The firearm was loaded. Officers confiscated the weapon and cited the passenger, who stated they forgot the firearm was in the bag.
The second incident occurred Sunday, Feb. 12. A firearm was detected in a passenger’s carry-on bag. Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police again responded and took possession of the weapon.
“We take it very seriously when a gun is detected during the security screening process,” said Ohio TSA Federal Security Director Donald Barker. “Any time dangerous items are presented in the checkpoint, we have serious safety concerns for all in the area, and the resolution disrupts the screening process for the passengers waiting behind the offender.”
TSA recently announced that the penalty for bringing weapons to the airport increased and can reach as high as $14,950, depending on the circumstances. TSA determines the penalty amount for a violation based on the circumstances in each case. TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.
These are the fifth and sixth firearms detected at CMH this year. A total of 40 firearms were detected at CMH security checkpoints in 2022.
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.