Security personnel at Pittsburgh International Airport thwarted the attempts of a North Hills man on Saturday to board a flight with a loaded handgun. This incident marks the 40th firearm confiscated by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at the Findlay airport in the current year. The .380-caliber handgun seized from the individual, containing seven bullets with one in the chamber, has contributed to surpassing the previous record of 35 firearms confiscated in 2019.
The unnamed individual, who possessed a valid concealed-carry permit, faced no charges as determined by Allegheny County Police. Despite the lack of legal consequences, TSA’s federal security director for the airport, Karen Keys-Turner, emphasized the irresponsibility of bringing a firearm to the security checkpoint, particularly during the busy holiday travel season. Such incidents pose risks, disrupt security screening operations, and cause delays for law-abiding travelers.
The TSA highlighted that the traveler could face a federal civil penalty, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars. This year, Pittsburgh International Airport has seen a notable increase in firearm confiscations, with 40 guns intercepted compared to 26 in 2022 and 32 in 2021. The national trend is equally concerning, with TSA officers nationwide halting over 6,000 guns at security checkpoints in the current year. This surpasses the 2022 record of 6,542 firearms intercepted. Security personnel at Pittsburgh
Passengers are reminded that firearms are allowed in checked baggage only when unloaded and securely packed in a hard-sided locked case. This case must be declared at the airline check-in counter to ensure compliance with regulations.