TSA intercepts two guns at Pittsburgh International Airport just days before the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks

PITTSBURGH –Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted a handgun in a carry-on bag on Saturday (September 7) and another one on Sunday (September 8) at the main security checkpoint just days before the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks

The firearm that was intercepted at the checkpoint on Saturday was a 9mm handgun loaded with 12 bullets belonging to a man from Belington, W.Va. The one detected on Sunday was a .45 caliber firearm loaded with nine bullets that was packed alongside nine additional bullets in a carry-on bag belonging to a man from Houston, Pa.

When TSA officers detected the firearms, the checkpoint lanes came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bags and firearms from the X-ray machine. Meanwhile, 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 gates. 

“These guns were intercepted at our checkpoint just days before the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Let’s be clear, guns are prohibited on planes. People who own firearms always need to know where their guns are. And 23 years after 9/11, everyone should know that you are not allowed to carry any weapons past our checkpoints. Our officers are good at what they do and everyone who works for TSA is very mindful of how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 impacted our nation.

“Passengers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags,” she continued. “These individuals can expect that TSA will issue each of them a very costly Federal civil penalty.”

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).