The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sent out a press release on Monday detailing how two more handguns were found inside passengers' carry-on bags in Pittsburgh. These firearm catches are just the latest of a recurring theme in the state of Pennsylvania, especially just days before the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Gotten Out Of Hand

The TSA confiscated two more firearms from carry-on bags that were scanned at security checkpoints at Pittsburgh International Airport on Sunday, September 7 and Monday, September 8.

The first firearm was a 9mm handgun belonging to a man from Belington, West Virginia. The gun was loaded with 12 bullets when it was recovered. The second firearm, a .45 caliber was loaded with nine bullets, with nine other bullets found inside the bag. This bag belonged to a Houston, Pennsylvania native.

When both firearms were spotted in X-ray machines, TSA had to suspend activity at the checkpoint until authorities could remove the suspects' belongings, delaying the security and customs process for countless other travelers.

“These guns were intercepted at our checkpoint just days before the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation... Let’s be clear, guns are prohibited on planes. People who own firearms always need to know where their guns are. And 23 years after 9/11, everyone should know that you are not allowed to carry any weapons past our checkpoints. Our officers are good at what they do and everyone who works for TSA is very mindful of how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 impacted our nation."
 

A Loaded Fine

TSA reserves the right to issue civil penalties to travelers who improperly travel with firearms through airport security. Depending on the weapon or other circumstances, individuals can face fines of up to $15,000. Since guns aren't allowed to be carried onto airplanes, this applies to travelers that have concealed gun carry permits.

Guidelines for how to travel with a firearm can be found on TSA's website. Basically, a firearm needs to be unloaded and kept inside a locked, hard-sided container. The container must be placed inside checked baggage and security officials need to be informed ahead of time that the bag holds this container.

Parts of firearms, such as ammunition, magazines, and bolts, must also be secured inside checked baggage, even if the firearm itself isn't present. Only rifle scopes can be allowed inside carry-on bags. Travelers can browse a list of prohibited items and read further instructions on the What Can I Bring page.

It's not known at this time if either suspect was enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, but anybody that brings a gun to an airport checkpoint will also have their PreCheck privileges stripped.

The TSA finds the high number of guns found inside carry-on bags to be concerning, and the purpose of its press release is to drive the point home that leaving a gun inside a bag can lead to hefty penalties and can waste a lot of time for other travelers who have flights to board. As the TSA director states, gun owners should always need to know where they keep their guns while traveling, and it should cost them significantly for being negligent.