A Clarion County woman was stopped by TSA officers at Pittsburgh International Sunday.
There was a loaded handgun among her belongings.
The .38 caliber revolver was loaded with six bullets.
The Mayport, Clarion County woman is facing a stiff financial penalty. Fines for bringing weapons to an airport checkpoint can reach $15,000.
“We are seeing way too many travelers bringing their guns to our security checkpoints. It’s as if there is a gun epidemic. Yet there is absolutely no excuse for bringing a firearm to one of our checkpoints,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Travelers are responsible for the items that they have in their possession. I strongly encourage gun owners to take a few moments before they come to the airport to take a good look inside any carry-on bags that they plan to bring to the airport—backpacks, roller bags, messenger bags, handbags, briefcases, duffle bags, and so on--to ensure that they do not have a firearm or ammunition inside. If they want to travel with their firearm, they should refresh their familiarity with the proper procedures on how to pack a gun for a flight. Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage. Responsible gun owners know this,” she said.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage.
Weapons must be unloaded and in a locked case.
It’s the 31st gun recovered by TSA at Pittsburgh International Airport this year.
The record over the past seven years was 35 recovered in 2019.
On Friday, a man was stopped with several fake IDs at the TSA checkpoint inside the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
He was stopped carrying a fraudulent fake ID, trying to get through security. After he was searched, more fake IDs were found.
Those 18 and older need to present valid ID at checkpoints. This helps lower travel risks after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
“This was an excellent catch on the part of our team,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Not only was this individual presenting himself as someone else, but he was also in possession of equipment that would manufacture false identification for other individuals. One of the most important security measures at an airport is confirming the identity of travelers.”