Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted two more loaded guns at the security checkpoint recently, one last Friday, July 26, and the other on Sunday, July 28.
“Since mid-June our officers have intercepted 10 firearms at our checkpoints here at Pittsburgh,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Let’s be very clear about this. Firearms are not permitted past our security checkpoints. Period. Bringing a gun to a checkpoint means that travelers are introducing threats to the airport environment. Additionally, people who bring guns to our checkpoints slow down the checkpoint lines because when we detect a firearm via the X-ray unit, the checkpoint lane and conveyor belt come to complete standstill until the police arrive and remove the firearm, the carry-on bag and all of the other traveler’s belongings and remove them and the traveler from the checkpoint. Meanwhile, other travelers who were in line were forced to wait until the incidents are cleared, delaying them from getting through the checkpoint and to their gate.”
Last Friday, TSA officers intercepted a .40 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets in the carry-on bag of a man from Claysville, Pa. On Sunday, officers intercepted a .38 caliber pistol among a Weirton, W.Va., woman’s carry-on items.
“Travelers need to pay much closer attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags,” said Keys-Turner. “Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags. In addition, responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. Both of these travelers can expect that TSA will issue them a costly Federal civil penalty.”