PITTSBURGH, PA — A 30-year-old Ohio man is facing felony charges after authorities say he attempted to bring a handgun through the main security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 2:05 p.m. on April 1, Transportation Security Administration officers discovered a firearm in a passenger’s backpack during routine screening. TSA personnel immediately contacted Allegheny County Police.
The passenger was identified as Christopher Wells Jr. of Washingtonville, Ohio. Police say Wells did not have a valid concealed carry permit and has been charged with one felony count of carrying a firearm without a license. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified of the incident.
Possession of firearms at airport checkpoints is a violation of federal law. According to the TSA, passengers found with firearms at security screening areas can face civil penalties up to $10,000, with repeat offenses carrying fines as high as $13,910.
No injuries were reported, and the weapon was secured without incident. Wells was taken into custody at the scene.