Man caught with loaded handgun in carry-on bag at Pittsburgh airport
A Jefferson County man was stopped Sunday after federal workers spotted a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag as he passed through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport.
Allegheny County Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and detained the man, a resident of Brockway, for questioning, according to the TSA.
He wasn’t identified. The .45-caliber handgun was loaded with 10 rounds, TSA said.
This is the 21st gun stopped by TSA workers at the checkpoint so far this year. Last year, federal officers caught 34 firearms at the checkpoint.
People who bring firearms to a checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges, and even travelers with concealed firearm permits aren’t allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags, the TSA said.
The TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,000.
The TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. The complete list of penalties for trying to bring a gun on a plane is also posted online.
Madasyn Czebiniak is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Madasyn at 724-226-4702, mczebiniak@tribweb.com or via Twitter .
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