A 26-year-old man faces the prospect of spending up to 10 years in federal prison after he was caught trying to smuggle an unregistered flash-bang grenade through the TSA security checkpoint at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Zachary Vincent Velling of Morgantown, West Virginia, was initially in the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas with possession of an offensive weapon and criminal attempt, but the feds decided to take up the case and upgrade the case to the federal crime of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The incident dates back to November 12, 2024, when Velling was passing through the TSA checkpoint to catch a flight from Pittsburgh Airport. As his carry-on luggage passed through the x-ray machine, the TSA agent noticed something suspicious and pulled the bag for closer examination.
Prosecutors allege that inside Velling’s bag, the TSA found what was later identified as an MK24 MOD 0,6 Bang/Flash diversionary hand grenade.
Because the grenade is considered a firearm and destructive device under federal law, it is not only permitted in airline hand luggage, but the owner must also have it registered on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Velling had not, however, registered the flag-bang grenade.
“Attempting to pass through airport security with any firearm or destructive device poses an unacceptable risk of harm to the innocent traveling public,” commented Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti after Velling was charged by a federal grand jury.
“This danger is heightened when, as in this case, the destructive device is possessed illegally,” Rivetti continued.
If found guilty, Velling faces a potential maximum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, along with a fine of up to $250,000.
Not a day seems to go by without the TSA highlighting yet another example of its agents finding prohibited weapons in carry-on luggage at airports across the country.
In 2024, the TSA stopped 42 firearms from being taken through the security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport. Although that was two less than in 2023, it still represents a 31% increase in the number of firearms recovered in 2017.
The difference could be put down to one of two reasons – either more passengers are trying to take firearms onboard planes in their carry-ons, unwittingly or not, or the TSA is simply getting better at detecting prohibited items.
Aviation unions have, however, warned that the Trump administration’s unilateral decision to end collective bargaining at the TSA could have a negative impact on the agency’s effectiveness and, therefore, passenger safety.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has insisted the decision will improve the TSA by tearing down “bureaucratic hurdles” that “strengthen workforce agility.”
