February 23, 2011

Gun found in Sacramento airport passenger's bag

By Tony Bizjak
tbizjak@sacbee.com

A passenger at Sacramento International Airport was cited Wednesday morning for unlawful possession of a firearm in the security area of the airport after federal officers found a loaded Beretta pistol in his carry-on bag.

The gun was confiscated by Sacramento Sheriff's deputies, and the flier was allowed to board a plane in Terminal B after a background check came out clean, according to Nico Melendez of the federal Transportation Security Administration.

The passenger, who was not identified, told officers he forgot he had the gun in his bag.

The gun, which was discovered by detection machines, had five rounds of .22 caliber bullets in it. There were 13 loose rounds in the bag.

Passengers are allowed to transport guns on planes, federal officials said, but they must be in secure boxes inside of the checked luggage, and the passenger must inform the airline beforehand.

Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1079.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/ ... in-sa.html