Local

TSA officer spots loaded handgun at Charlotte-Douglas checkpoint

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sharp eyes of a Transportation Security Administration officer prevented a North Carolina man from bringing a loaded handgun on board a plane at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Officials told Channel 9 that the man was stopped by TSA officers Wednesday morning at Checkpoint B. He was found with a loaded Kimber .380 CDP Micro handgun.

TSA officer Dashnelle Anderson-Quick spotted the firearm as the man’s carry-on bag passed along the conveyor belt in the checkpoint’s X-ray machine.

Police were immediately called, and the passenger was questioned and charged with carrying a weapon on airport property.

TSA officers have detected 29 firearms at Charlotte Douglas checkpoints so far this year. A total of 68 firearms were found at the airport in 2017.

Passengers are allowed to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. The firearm must be taken to the airline check-in counter.

Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers should contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: