Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) intercepted a gun at the security checkpoint on Sunday, March 2. The firearm was among the carry-on items belonging to a man from Kentucky who was going through the checkpoint screening process.
The 9mm handgun was loaded with 17 bullets, including one in the chamber. It was packed alongside an additional 18 accessible bullets.
“It is concerning when someone shows up at one of our checkpoints with a loaded gun,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania. “But what is even more concerning is that there was a bullet in the chamber.
“Our officers are well-trained and good at their profession, yet we do not want them to handle firearms, which is an accident waiting to happen. That is why we have police remove guns from carry-on bags, seize them and secure the weapons so that they no longer pose a threat. This individual now faces a hefty federal civil penalty for his actions.”
The original announcement can be found here.