TSA intercepts 15th loaded gun at Pittsburgh International Airport so far this year

PITTSBURGH - A Butler County, Pa., man was arrested by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted a loaded firearm among the man's carry-on items. The 9mm gun was loaded with 17 bullets.

The good catch by TSA officers on Tuesday brings the total number of guns caught at the airport's checkpoints to 15 so far this year. Each one of those firearms has been loaded.

"We continue to find that it is necessary to remind firearm owners that they can travel with their gun, but only if they pack it the proper way," said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "All you need to do is make sure that the firearm is unloaded, that it is packed in a locked hard-sided case and taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. At that point, the airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to it during the flight. If individuals don't follow these simple steps, they risk criminal charges from the police, including arrest, and they likely will be slapped with a stiff federal financial penalty that could cost thousands of dollars. In the case on Tuesday, the man was arrested and will also face TSA financial penalties."

The Allegheny County Police arrested the man, a resident of Renfrew, Pa., and confiscated the weapon. Police confiscate firearms, not TSA.

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

Last year, a record 6,737 firearms were caught at checkpoints nationwide and Pittsburgh was part of that disturbing trend.

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).