A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested at St. Louis Lambert International Airport after screeners discovered a loaded gun in a carry-on bag.
The 51-year old on duty first officer was facing charges of unlawful use of a weapon.
"St. Louis Lambert International Airport police arrested a 51 year old airline pilot Wednesday morning for unlawful use of a weapon after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a loaded 9mm pistol in his carry-on luggage. The pilot, a first officer who works for Southwest Airlines, was detained shortly before 5 a.m. in the Terminal 2 checkpoint," the airport said in a statement.
"The suspect did not have any conceal and carry permit or any other authorization to carry a firearm."
The pilot was scheduled to fly Southwest flight 1106 from St. Louis to Las Vegas, which was subsequently delayed by about 45 minutes.
Last year, TSA screeners discovered a record 3,391 firearms, of which more than 80% were loaded.
The gun is the 46th to be confiscated this year in St Louis. It found 31 firearms last year.
