'An Epidemic': Five Handguns Confiscated in Six Days at Pittsburgh International Airport Security Checkpoint

Sep. 30—Pittsburgh International Airport is riding a hot streak. But it's not the kind anybody wants.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration confiscated its fifth handgun in six days from a traveler trying to get through the airport's security checkpoint.

"It's really a shame," TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said Wednesday. "People who own firearms should know that you can't bring a gun on a plane. It's a no brainer."

The latest incident involved a 9 mm handgun loaded with seven bullets that a TSA officer spotted at a checkpoint X-ray machine. The weapon belonged to a Farmington, Fayette County, man, according to the TSA.

Allegheny County police confiscated the gun and the traveler now faces possible federal civil penalties ranging from $3,000 to $13,910, depending on "mitigating or aggravating circumstances," the agency stated.

Tuesday's incident followed four others over the last week at Pittsburgh International.

Last Thursday, a .380 caliber gun was confiscated from a Homer City, Indiana County, man at the checkpoint. A day later, it was a 9 mm handgun loaded with seven bullets that belonged to a Pittsburgh woman.

On Saturday, it was another .380 caliber handgun owned by a Canonsburg man. And on Sunday, an Enterprise, W.Va., man was caught with a 9 mm handgun loaded with 16 bullets, including one in the chamber.

In a statement, Karen Keys-Turner, TSA's federal security director at the airport, described the recent run of incidents as "an epidemic."

"Here is my message to gun owners. Do not bring your gun to our security checkpoints or you will be fined. Heavily fined," she said. "If you want to avoid paying what could amount to thousands of dollars, then either pack your gun properly for air transport or don't bring it with you in the first place."

None of the travelers was charged by the county police, although all of the weapons were confiscated.

County Police Inspector Kenneth Ruckel said each of the travelers could still face possible federal charges. The U.S. Attorney's office reviews the facts and circumstances of each case and then makes a determination, he noted.

"The people bringing the firearms to the checkpoint have all reported it as accidental," he said in an email.

Ms. Farbstein said the most common claim from travelers caught with a weapon at the checkpoint is that they didn't know they had it with them.

It's an explanation that exasperates her.

"If you own a gun, you need to know where it is all the time. You know where your wallet is. You know where your keys are," she said. "Maybe you need to stop and think where you put your gun."

The spike in checkpoint handgun discoveries isn't limited to Pittsburgh.

TSA officers have caught more than 4,000 guns so far this year at checkpoints across the country. That's compared to 3,257 last year and 4,432 in pre-pandemic 2019.

Last year's total represented 10 firearms per million passengers screened compared to five per million passengers in 2019.

"We're highly likely to exceed that this year," Ms. Farbstein said of the 4,432 number while pointing out that travel volume is still lower than it was before COVID hit last year.

At Pittsburgh International, 27 guns have been caught so far this year — six more than in all of 2020.

With the way things are going, handgun confiscations could exceed the 35 discovered in 2019.

"It's becoming more common not only in Pittsburgh but around the country. It's a sad statement," Ms. Farbstein said.

The TSA stated that when a handgun is found at the checkpoint, it not only creates a disturbance but brings the lane to a standstill, possibly delaying other travelers in getting to their gates.

Travelers are permitted to transport firearms in their checked luggage. However, the firearm must be unloaded, stored in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition.

Mark Belko: [email protected] or 412-263-1262.

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