Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) intercepted loaded .38 caliber revolver at the security checkpoint on Saturday, November 23. It was detected inside one of the woman’s carry-on bags.
When TSA officers detected the firearm, the checkpoint lane came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine. Police confiscated the firearm, which belonged to a woman from Creighton, Pa. Then they arrested her. Meanwhile, other travelers who were in line were forced to wait until the incident was cleared, delaying them from getting through the checkpoint and to their gate.
Saturday marked the 39th firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at Pittsburgh so far this year, the third one this month.
“We’re a few short days away from Thanksgiving, and it is crucial for travelers to double and triple-check their carry-on items to ensure that there are no prohibited or illegal items inside because this is the busiest travel period of the year,” said Donald Weston, TSA’s Acting Federal Security Director. “It will be super busy this week and travelers who have prohibited items among their carry-on items will not only delay their checkpoint screening experience, but they will slow down others as well. Don’t be that person. When you’re at home packing for your trip, start with an empty roller bag, backpack, messenger bag or handbag. Start to pack from scratch so you know with certainty that there is nothing prohibited in your carry-ons.”
The original announcement can be found here.