Transportation Security Administration officers say a West Virginia woman tried to get on a plane at the Pittsburgh International Airport with a loaded handgun Monday.
The Arthurdale woman was stopped at the checkpoint when TSA officers found a loaded handgun in her carry-on bag.
The green camouflage-designed handgun was loaded with eight bullets, including one in the chamber, TSA officials said.
Allegheny County police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and detained the woman for questioning before citing her on weapons violations, TSA officials said. Officials didn’t identify the woman.
This is the 10th gun that has been stopped at a Pittsburgh airport checkpoint this year. In 2018, TSA officers caught 34 firearms at airport checkpoints.
Last year, 4,239 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, an average of about 11.6 firearms per day and an increase of 7% from the 3,957 detected in 2017.
According to the TSA, 86% of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded and nearly 34% had a bullet in the chamber.
The TSA reminded travelers that when people show up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Such incidents can delay other travelers from getting to their gates.
People who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges. Even travelers with concealed carry permits are not allowed to bring guns past TSA checkpoints, TSA officials said.
The TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. Travelers can find the complete list of penalties here.
To see how to properly travel with a firearm, visit the TSA website.
