A Coraopolis man was stopped at Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday morning after Transportation Security Administration officers found a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag.
TSA contacted the Allegheny County police, who responded to the airport checkpoint, confiscated the gun and detained the man for questioning.
The .380 caliber handgun is the 23rd gun stopped by federal workers at the airport checkpoint so far this year, according to the TSA. In 2018, TSA officers caught 34 firearms at the checkpoint.
The gun was loaded with 14 bullets, including one in the chamber, according to TSA.
People who bring guns to the checkpoint could face criminal charges, according to TSA. 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.
Travelers with concealed firearm permits aren’t allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. The complete list of penalties associated with trying to bring a gun on a plane in a carry-on bag also is posted online.
