This firearm was detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Dayton International Airport (DAY) on Feb. 3. (TSA photo)
DAYTON, Ohio – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented two firearms from being brought onboard airplanes at Dayton International Airport (DAY) in separate incidents last week.
The incidents occurred Monday, Feb. 3 around 5:30 a.m., and Friday, Feb. 7, around 8 p.m. During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, TSA officers spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. In both incidents, TSA officials immediately alerted the Dayton Airport Police. Both firearms were loaded.
“Bringing a firearm to the checkpoint is a careless, expensive mistake that endangers other passengers,” Ohio TSA Federal Security Director Donald Barker said. “Passengers should start with an empty bag when packing to ensure they are not bringing any prohibited items to the checkpoint, and review guidance on the safe and legal way to transport a firearm if they need to do so.”
These are the first two firearms detected at DAY checkpoints so far in 2025. Seven firearms were detected at DAY last year.
When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSA officers immediately contact local law enforcement, who remove the passenger and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the passenger. TSA does not confiscate firearms.
In addition to law enforcement action, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to about $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
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.
Firearms caught by TSA at Ohio airport checkpoints, 2020 to 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) | 31 | 38 | 35 | 43 | 19 |
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) | 48 | 55 | 40 | 33 | 24 |
| Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Dayton International Airport (DAY) | 7 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Toledo Express Airport (TOL) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |