Ohio man faces felony charges after handgun found in backpack at pittsburgh international airport’s tsa checkpoint.
Pittsburgh International Airport

Ohio man faces felony charges after handgun found in backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport’s TSA checkpoint.

by
April 1, 2025

PITTSBURGH, PA — A 30-year-old Ohio man is facing felony charges after authorities say he attempted to bring a handgun through the main security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 2:05 p.m. on April 1, Transportation Security Administration officers discovered a firearm in a passenger’s backpack during routine screening. TSA personnel immediately contacted Allegheny County Police.

The passenger was identified as Christopher Wells Jr. of Washingtonville, Ohio. Police say Wells did not have a valid concealed carry permit and has been charged with one felony count of carrying a firearm without a license. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified of the incident.

Possession of firearms at airport checkpoints is a violation of federal law. According to the TSA, passengers found with firearms at security screening areas can face civil penalties up to $10,000, with repeat offenses carrying fines as high as $13,910.

No injuries were reported, and the weapon was secured without incident. Wells was taken into custody at the scene.

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