COLUMBUS, Ohio — A report released Wednesday by the Transportation Security Administration reveals that dozens of firearms were caught by TSA officers at John Glenn Columbus International Airport in 2022.
A total of 40 firearms were caught by officers at the Columbus airport last year — an increase from the 33 firearms that were discovered at the airport checkpoint in 2021.
Additionally, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reported 35 firearms in 2022, a decrease from the 43 that were found in 2021.
The TSA report listed five airports in Ohio where firearms were discovered while passengers were going through TSA checkpoints.
The other Ohio airports included in the report are:
- Akron-Canton Airport - 2
- Dayton International Airport - 13
- Rickenbacker International Airport - 2
According to TSA, the majority of firearms found nationally were loaded, adding up to 88% of the 6,542 firearms across 262 airports.
"Bringing a firearm to the checkpoint is an expensive, dangerous mistake that far too many people are making,” Ohio TSA Federal Security Director Don Barker said. “Our TSA officers are doing a fantastic job preventing weapons from making their way onboard aircraft, but the responsibility falls to passengers to pack smart and keep prohibited items out of their baggage.”
The penalty for bringing weapons into the airport can cost passengers as much as $14,950 depending on the circumstances, according to a release from TSA.
TSA also says it will continue to revoke PreCheck eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.
The airports reporting the most guns caught by TSA are listed below:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - 448
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - 385
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - 298
- Nashville International Airport (BNA) - 213
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 196
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) - 162
- Denver International Airport (DEN) - 156
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 150
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) - 134
- Tampa International Airport (TPA) - 131
For information on how to travel safely with a firearm, visit TSA's website.