Man prevented from boarding plane with loaded gun at Charlotte Airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Transportation Security Administration officers prevented a North Carolina man from boarding a plane with a loaded handgun Tuesday morning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Officials with the TSA said the incident occurred just after 7 a.m. at Checkpoint A.

According to officials, the man was carrying a loaded .380 handgun.

Officials said TSA officer Andrew Kanzigg noticed the firearm as the man’s carry-on bag passed through the checkpoint’s X-ray machine. Kanzigg immediately contacted Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, officials said.

Authorities said the man was questioned by officers and cited for carrying a weapon on airport property.

TSA officers have detected 51 firearms at the airport’s checkpoints this year, according to officials. A total of 54 firearms were found last year, officials said.

Officials said passengers are permitted to travel with firearms if they’re not loaded, but are packed in a hard-side case, locked and stored separately from ammunition. Firearms must also be taken to the airline check-in counter, officials added.

Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, officials noted, so it’s best for travelers to check with carriers regarding their policies.

Details on how to properly travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA website.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• North Korea's nuclear test site has reportedly collapsed, killing hundreds
• NC couple charged after 18-month-old found with maggots in diaper
• Newlyweds from Union County shot trying to buy cellphone
• VIDEO: Keith Monday's Halloween forecast outlook
• Woman charged in deadly 2-vehicle wreck; victim identified
• Jerry Richardson's son reiterates plans to sell Panthers

Cox Media Group