A man was arrested after TSA officers found a loaded gun in his carry-on bag at Quad City International Airport.
John VanEpps, 58, of Cumming, Georgia, had a ticket to fly from Moline to Atlanta when he went through the airport's security checkpoint Thursday, March 27, 2014.
A TSA officer spotted a loaded .380 caliber Walther PK handgun in VanEpps' carry-on bag, as the bag went through the X-ray machine at the security checkpoint.
The gun was loaded with six rounds and one chambered, according to TSA spokesman James McKinney.
VanEpps had a Georgia concealed weapon permit, but weapons are not permitted to be brought on airplanes, McKinney said. The gun and ammunition were seized and VanEpps was arrested by the Metropolitan Airport Authority Police. VanEpps apparently forgot the gun was in his baggage, according to TSA Federal Security Director John Hursey.
"It was all done very quickly and efficiently and probably most people that were here at that time weren't even aware that anything was happening," Hursey said.
Jail records show VanEpps was released from the Rock Island County Jail after posting $5,000 bond.
To find a list of items allowed and prohibited on U.S. flights, click here to check the TSA website or download their app.