An early-morning trip through Pittsburgh International Airport ended in handcuffs for an Ohio traveler on Wednesday after Transportation Security Administration screeners spotted a handgun in his carry-on bag at the main security checkpoint. The passenger was detained on the spot, Allegheny County police moved in, and the man was later arrested as federal authorities were notified. He now faces a misdemeanor state charge.
Allegheny County police identified the passenger as Franklin Landis, 47, of Poland, Ohio, and said the weapon turned up during routine X-ray screening at the main checkpoint at 5:24 a.m., according to WPXI. County police said Landis did not have a valid concealed-carry permit and was charged with one misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm without a license.
How Screeners Stopped the Weapon
TSA officers routinely pull aside any bag that appears to contain a firearm on the X-ray monitor. When that happens, the checkpoint lane is briefly halted, local law enforcement is called in, and officers remove the bag from the X-ray unit and secure the weapon. Police then decide whether to issue a citation or make an arrest.
Local reporting shows the FBI is often looped in on these incidents while officials sort out permits and potential criminal exposure, according to WTAE.
Penalties and Permit Rules
TSA’s civil-enforcement guidance lists fine ranges that depend on the circumstances, with steeper penalties for loaded guns and repeat cases. The agency notes that civil penalties are separate from criminal charges and that even an alleged “mistake” at the checkpoint can bring hefty fines and other administrative actions, according to TSA.
Charges and What Comes Next
Allegheny County has charged Landis with one misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm without a license. He will be processed through the county court, where prosecutors will determine whether to pursue any additional charges. Police are holding the handgun as evidence while the case moves forward, WPXI reported.
How Travelers Can Avoid a TSA Firearm Flap
TSA says passengers who need to travel with firearms must pack them unloaded in a locked, hard-sided case and declare the firearm at the airline check-in counter. The locked case is then handed over to the airline to be transported in checked baggage. For step-by-step rules on transporting firearms and ammunition, see TSA.
