A loaded gun was found at Nashville International Airport, marking the 48th firearm found there by the Transportation Security Administration so far in 2017.
Officials with the TSA said they found the loaded Ruger .380 caliber handgun at the security checkpoint around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The firearm was in a passenger’s carry-on bag, and airport police were immediately alerted.
Authorities took the bag and escorted the passenger out of the checkpoint area.
Officials said firearms can be transported in checked baggage if they have been declared to the airline, but they have been prohibited in carry-on bags.
The passenger’s identity had not been released.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint,” said Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson. “Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.”
According to reports, a total of 80 firearms were found at Nashville International Airport in 2016.
