2 guns confiscated at Pittsburgh airport security

Two guns were confiscated at the Pittsburgh International Airport security checkpoint in a span of three days, the Transportation Security Administration reported Monday.

A woman from Cartagena, Colombia, was caught Saturday with a .38 caliber handgun. Then an Ohio woman was caught Monday with a .22 caliber handgun loaded with five bullets, the TSA said.

Both guns were found in carry-on bags when they were put through the checkpoint X-ray machine. Allegheny County police responded, confiscated the guns and detained the women for questioning. The incidents were unrelated, the TSA said.

Last year was a record year for guns caught at Pittsburgh International. In December, TSA officers found the 35th gun of 2019, surpassing the 34 guns that were found in 2018 and the 32 found in 2017.

Each year, more firearms are found in carry-on bags at security checkpoints across the U.S. In 2018, 4,239 firearms were found, an average of about 11.6 per day. According to TSA, 86% of the guns found were loaded, and nearly 34% had a bullet in the chamber. Information for 2019 is not yet available.

TSA said that when an individual brings a firearm through a checkpoint, the line comes to a standstill until police respond. The person is also subject to possible to criminal charges and civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations.