TSA catches airline contractor with loaded gun at Pittsburgh International Airport

PITTSBURGH –Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) intercepted a gun from an air carrier contractor on Saturday, Jan. 25. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 12 bullets, including one in the chamber.

It was the third firearm that TSA officers have detected so far this month at one of the checkpoints. Last year TSA officers intercepted 42 guns at the airport’s checkpoints, the most of any airport in the state.

“This is an instance where our TSA officers stopped what could have been an insider threat, someone who was approved to have access to secure areas of the airport,” explained Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania. “This individual’s airport credentials have been confiscated and deactivated, without which he cannot work at the airport.”

“Everyone who wants access to the secure side of the airport is responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags. That includes everyone from travelers to airport, airline and concession employees and contractors,” he added.

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). 

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 intercepted at airport checkpoints at Pittsburgh International Airport, 2017 to 2025

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.