TSA Intercepts Fifth Gun This Month at Pittsburgh International Airport

TSA officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted their fifth gun this month, stopping a Texas man from bringing a 9mm handgun through security on May 23. This marks the 16th firearm detected at Pittsburgh’s checkpoints this year.

The incident occurred on one of TSA’s busiest days in history, coinciding with the Memorial Day travel period. Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director, emphasized the importance of not bringing prohibited items, noting that it slows down the screening process and creates delays.

The man faces a significant federal financial penalty for having a gun at the checkpoint. The Allegheny County police confiscated the weapon, as TSA officers do not handle firearms directly.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty, which can reach up to $15,000 depending on the circumstances. This applies to all travelers, including those with concealed carry permits and those enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, who risk losing their privileges.

When a firearm is detected, the checkpoint X-ray unit is stopped, and the police are notified. This process can cause delays for other passengers, who either wait for the issue to be resolved or are redirected to another lane.

Last year, a record 6,737 firearms were caught at checkpoints nationwide, with Pittsburgh contributing to this trend. TSA encourages travelers to familiarize themselves with firearm possession laws and airline policies to avoid such incidents.

The TSA’s strict measures aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport operations, especially during peak travel periods like Memorial Day weekend.