TSA intercepts firearm at Pittsburgh International Airport, slowing down checkpoint lines

PITTSBURGH – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted a loaded gun at the main security checkpoint on Friday, July 12. TSA officers detected the weapon inside a Pittsburgh woman’s carry-on bag. The 9mm firearm was loaded with 10 bullets.

When TSA officers detected the gun, the checkpoint lane came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine. Other travelers who were in line were forced to wait until the incident was cleared, delaying them from getting through the checkpoint and to their gate during the peak travel time of the day. 

“Travelers need to pay more attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags. In addition, responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation. This traveler can expect that TSA will issue her a costly Federal civil penalty.”

Keys-Turner praised the TSA officers for their good catch. “Early morning is the busiest period of travel that we see here at Pittsburgh and when someone brings an illegal or prohibited item to the checkpoint, it slows down all of the other travelers. I commend our officers for remaining vigilant and staying focused on the mission during this very busy time.”

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a weapon into a checkpoint can reach up to $15,000, depending on the specific weapon and the circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. This also applies to travelers who are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.  

The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. 

When a gun is detected in the checkpoint X-ray unit, the conveyor belt is stopped and the police are notified. Police remove the carry-on bag from the X-ray unit because TSA does not want its officers handling firearms. Police determine whether a traveler is arrested or issued a criminal citation. Meanwhile the remaining passengers in the checkpoint lane either wait for the issue to be resolved or they are shifted to another checkpoint lane, thus delaying dozens of passengers from getting to their gates.

TSA firearms catches at airport checkpoints at Pittsburgh International Airport, 2017 to 2024

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).