KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Transportation Security Administration said it found a loaded firearm at the McGhee Tyson Airport on Wednesday morning.
A loaded Ruger .380 caliber firearm was detected in a passenger's carry-on bag at 9:30 a.m. TSA officers alerted airport police who took the bag and escorted the passenger out of the checkpoint area, the TSA said.
The passenger told officers that he forgot the weapon was in his backpack. Charges were not filed against him, according to the incident report.
This is the 16th firearm detected in 2022 by TSA officers at McGhee Tyson. A total of 21 firearms were detected there in 2021, the TSA said.
Firearms can be transported in checked baggage. However, the firearm must be declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded. Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, according to the TSA.
“Passengers must remember they’re responsible for the contents of bags and our advice is they thoroughly inspect all personal belongings to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items before coming to the airport,” Tennessee TSA Federal Security Director Steve Wood said.