TSA: Inspector had .22-caliber revolver in carry-on bag

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The TSA says in a statement on Jan. 13, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector was arrested at LaGuardia airport after the Transportation Security Administration discovered a firearm in his carry-on bag at the security checkpoint.      

A criminal complaint obtained by Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne says a Port Authority police officer recovered a .22-caliber revolver that was loaded with five rounds of ammunition from the bag.

A spokesman for the Queens County District's Office indicated the suspect is an FAA inspector who allegedly made statements that he had a permit for the firearm in Georgia, that the gun belonged to his wife and that he flew in with the firearm from Georgia because he forgot that he had it in the bag. 

An official indicates the Atlanta-based FAA inspector had used his security ID badge to gain access at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, bypassing the TSA security checkpoint, according to Winne.

The FAA told Winne inspectors do not carry guns as part of their duties.

A source says the FAA inspector in question was in the cockpit with the Delta flight crew on his trip to New York-LaGuardia airport from Atlanta.

Channel 2 does not know yet whether the gun in the bag was with the inspector in the cockpit on that flight.

Delta Airlines says it's cooperating.

WSBTV