TSA: Palm Harbor Man Had Loaded Gun in Carry-On

A Palm Harbor resident was arrested at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Sunday morning after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on bag, according to the Transportation Security Administration. A spokesperson with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police says Michael Smith, 58, told authorities he forgot he had the gun in his carry-on bag. He was charged with carrying a handgun and possessing an unauthorized weapon. A TSA spokesperson says Smith was ticketed to fly to Tampa.

A TSA officer detected the 9mm Glock 17 pistol just before 10:00 a.m. when Smith was going through a security check. The gun was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and had one bullet in the chamber. There were two additional magazines found inside his carry-on bag. Each magazine was loaded with 10 rounds, according to a TSA spokesperson. 

Airport operations were not impacted by the incident.

Weapons are not permitted in carry-on baggage. Some weapons are permitted to be transported in checked baggage, but passengers should check with the airlines and local laws before doing so, according to the TSA. Information about items prohibited on airplanes is available on the TSA website.