A 24-year-old traveler from Louisiana learned the hard way that a loaded handgun and a carry-on bag do not mix at Pittsburgh International Airport early Tuesday morning.
Allegheny County police said Transportation Security Administration officers spotted the firearm in a carry-on at the airport’s main security checkpoint around 5:40 a.m. The lane briefly shut down while officers secured the bag and its owner, identified as Bryce McAfoose of St. Amant, Louisiana.
Investigators said McAfoose did not have a valid concealed-carry permit. He was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, and federal authorities were notified, according to county police.
According to WPXI, TSA officers first picked up the gun during routine X-ray screening, then called in Allegheny County police, who removed the weapon as evidence. The station reports McAfoose was arrested on a misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm without a license, and that the FBI was also notified. Police again reminded travelers that even valid concealed-carry permits do not allow guns in carry-on luggage at the checkpoint.
Fines and Civil Enforcement
On top of any criminal case, TSA can come after travelers with civil penalties. The agency’s sanctions guidance lists penalty ranges for prohibited items and notes that violations involving loaded firearms, or unloaded guns with accessible ammunition, can carry especially steep fines. TSA’s Civil Enforcement page explains how those penalties are calculated and warns that repeat or particularly serious violations can lead to higher fines and loss of expedited screening benefits. That guidance is detailed on the TSA.
PIT’s Recent Run of Firearm Interceptions
Pittsburgh International has seen a steady stream of gun interceptions in recent months, with TSA officers and Allegheny County police repeatedly pointing out that every firearms stop slows security lines and can delay dozens of fliers who showed up on time and followed the rules. Local coverage has documented how county police regularly file charges against travelers who lack proper permits and loop in federal partners when needed. As WTAE has reported, Pittsburgh’s numbers reflect a broader national pattern of firearms turning up at TSA checkpoints.
How to Travel With a Firearm Legally
The legal route for flying with a gun is a lot less dramatic and a lot more paperwork-heavy. TSA rules require firearms to be unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the ticket counter and checked as baggage, not carried on. The agency’s transporting-firearms guidance also spells out how ammunition must be packaged, how much you can bring, and what kind of locks are acceptable, all meant to keep travelers out of criminal trouble and away from civil penalties. Step-by-step instructions are laid out on TSA.
Legal Fallout and Permit Revocation
Local prosecutors can pursue either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances, and federal authorities sometimes get involved. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh has previously said it will ask county sheriffs to consider revoking concealed-carry permits when permit holders are caught bringing guns to airport checkpoints, framing permit loss as a deterrent after a series of incidents at Pittsburgh International. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania outlined that approach in a 2021 press release.
Allegheny County police said McAfoose’s case remains under investigation, with the firearm held as evidence while he moves through the county court system. Authorities are urging anyone who plans to travel with a gun to double-check airline rules and TSA guidance before they pack, instead of finding out at the checkpoint with officers looking on.
