PITTSBURGH – An Ohio woman was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) when they detected a loaded handgun in the woman’s carry-on bag, Oct. 18.
The Austintown, Ohio, resident was stopped at the checkpoint with the .380 caliber handgun, which was loaded with six bullets. It marked the 29th handgun stopped at one of the airport’s checkpoints so far this calendar year. In 2017, TSA officers at PIT Airport caught 37 firearms at the checkpoint.
TSA contacted the Allegheny County Police, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and detained the woman for questioning. She faces a civil penalty from TSA for bringing the gun to the checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online.
Even travelers with concealed carry permits are not allowed to bring guns past TSA checkpoints.
When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.