Firearm found in carry-on bag at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport

Monday, May 5, 2014

photo The firearm found at Chattanooga Airport

Transportation Security Administration agents found a firearm at about 7:15 a.m. today at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, a news release states.

The weapon, an unloaded 9mm Ruger, was found in a carry-one bag at a security checkpoint. AIrport police responded to the discovery.

While firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded) they are prohibited in carry-on bags, according to the news release.

"Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint," TSA spokesman Mark Howell said. "Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items."

TSA officers have found five firearms in passenger carry-on bags at the airport here in 2014. Six firearms were found at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport checkpoints in 2013, the TSA release states.

Passengers carrying undeclared firearms face criminal and civil penalties.

The last time a firearm was found at the local airport was in January. A video report from that incident: