TSA Finds Handgun in Pittsburgh Airport Carry-On
A passenger was charged with carrying a firearm without a license after a handgun was discovered at a security checkpoint.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Air Travel
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TSA officers spotted a handgun in a passenger's carry-on bag at a Pittsburgh International Airport security checkpoint at 2:20 p.m. Thursday and alerted Allegheny County Police. James Andrew Holiday, 27, of Glen Dale, West Virginia, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license.
Why it matters
Firearms found at airport checkpoints can trigger criminal charges and federal civil penalties, underscoring that travelers are responsible for what they carry through security. The FBI was also notified of the incident at a major regional airport serving Pittsburgh residents.
TSA civil penalties for bringing a firearm to an airport checkpoint can reach $12,210 for a first offense and $17,062 for repeat offenders. The handgun was spotted at 2:20 p.m. Thursday during screening.
The players
James Andrew Holiday
A 27-year-old man from Glen Dale, West Virginia, who was charged after a handgun was found in his carry-on bag at the Pittsburgh airport checkpoint.
Transportation Security Administration
The federal agency responsible for screening passengers and baggage at U.S. airports, which discovered the handgun and alerted local police.
Allegheny County Police
The local law enforcement agency that responded to the checkpoint and charged the passenger with carrying a firearm without a license.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The federal law enforcement agency that was notified of the firearm discovery at Pittsburgh International Airport.
The details
TSA officers noticed the handgun within a passenger's carry-on bag at the Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint and alerted Allegheny County Police. Holiday did not hold a valid concealed carry permit, and the FBI was notified of the discovery.
Timeline
Thursday, 2:20 p.m.: TSA officers discover the handgun at the Pittsburgh International Airport security checkpoint.
Seasonal Patterns
TSA's published civil penalty schedule sets fines of up to $12,210 for a first firearm offense at a checkpoint and up to $17,062 for repeat offenders. This Pittsburgh discovery falls under that same federal penalty structure.
Travelers should leave firearms out of carry-on bags, since a single missed item can lead to criminal charges and federal civil penalties. Checking TSA's rules before packing can help avoid delays at the security checkpoint.
The takeaway
Packing a firearm in a carry-on can result in arrest and substantial fines even if the passenger had no intent to bring it onto a plane. Checking what is in a bag before reaching security is the simplest way to avoid the problem.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Air Travel news from the Pittsburgh region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Patch.
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