A Texas man was confronted with the law yesterday after Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International Airport discovered a handgun in his carry-on bag. The incident occurred at the airport's main security checkpoint at approximately 1:34 p.m., as reported by WTAE.
The Allegheny County Police Department, interjecting swiftly, identified the man as 42-year-old Erik Trask. Trask, found without a valid concealed carry permit, now faces a felony charge for carrying a firearm without a proper license, as detailed in a statement reported by WPXI. The FBI has been notified of the situation, a move that highlights the seriousness of the infraction.
The WTAE coverage noted that the TSA can impose fines of up to $10,000 for first-time offenders, with repeat offenders facing fines of up to $13,910. It remains to be seen what penalties Trask will ultimately incur, but the deterrence such fines intend to impose is clear.
