Allegheny County Police have arrested a passenger for the second time in just three days for attempting to bring an illegal firearm through the main security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport. The arrest occurred at 1:06 pm on October 12, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a loaded 9 mm handgun in the carry-on bag of 40-year-old Jamal Pittman from Mississippi.
After the TSA alerted them, County Police took over the investigation and determined that Pittman lacked a valid concealed carry permit. Furthermore, he was identified as a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under Pennsylvania law. “Pittman is currently in custody and will be charged with one felony count of persons not to possess a firearm and one misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm without a license,” stated the Allegheny County Police in their official release.
Pittman is the ninth individual to be charged by Allegheny County Police this year for attempting to bring an illegal firearm into Pittsburgh International Airport. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also been notified of the incident as part of the standard procedure.
Individuals caught attempting to bring firearms through airport security could face federal civil fines imposed by the TSA, which can amount up to $10,000. Repeat offenders are subject to fines up to $13,910.
As public safety remains a top concern, this incident serves as another reminder of the stringent security measures in place at airports and the legal consequences that travelers face for violating those rules. Authorities continue to encourage the public to be aware of laws and regulations regarding firearm possession, especially when traveling.