The record for the number of guns stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International Airport has been tied and there are still over two months left in the year.
TSA officials say the loaded .38 caliber handgun with seven bullets and one in the chamber, was stopped on Saturday.
The Natronia Heights man’s gun is the 35th stopped so far in 2023, tying the record set in 2019.
Five guns have been stopped by security a little over the past two weeks.
Fines can total up to $15,000 for those that try to bring a gun through security.
“Bring a gun to our checkpoint and you will face a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could cost you thousands of dollars,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Make no mistake, there is a high cost for gun owners who think that they can stroll through a checkpoint and onto a plane with a gun.”
“It’s a constant battle to prevent travelers from bringing their guns to our checkpoints,” said Keys-Turner, “Our officers are vigilant and focused on our mission. This proliferation of passengers toting their firearms with their carry-on items needs to stop. There’s no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints because you certainly can’t carry it onto your flight. Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint is a serious matter and those individuals doing so will pay for their mistake.”