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W.Va. couple caught with loaded gun at Pittsburgh International Airport, TSA says

Gun found TSA officers at Pittsburgh International Airport detected this firearm at the checkpoint on July 1. (TSA photo) (TSA)

A West Virginia couple was prevented from bringing a .22 caliber handgun through a Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint on Monday, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The gun, which was loaded with five bullets, was in a woman’s carry-on bag. She told officials she did not know it was in her carry-on items, and that it belonged to her husband.

“This is an excellent example of why it is so important the individuals pack their own bags; so they can ensure that there is nothing prohibited or illegal inside,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security director for the airport. “It’s the busy Independence Day travel period and this is no time to be caught with an illegal or prohibited item among your carry-on items. It slows down the line and this is a very busy place. Nobody wants to wait in a checkpoint line because someone with a gun was careless and brought his gun with him.”

The man “now faces a stiff federal financial penalty for his actions in having a gun at the checkpoint,” Keys-Turner said.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Allegheny County police confiscated the weapon.

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