A Transportation Security Administration screening officer was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in possession of a firearm.
Atlanta Police Department says TSA officer Matthew Gilbert, 58, took the gun beyond a security checkpoint.
He was charged with reckless conduct.
Police haven’t said if Gilbert was on duty at the time
“TSA is aware of the arrest of an officer,” a TSA spokesperson said.
“TSA has zero tolerance for misconduct on or off duty and the officer involved has been removed from screening status.”
He was placed on leave.
Like the general public, TSA screeners are not authorized to carry firearms in airport secure areas.
“We do not want guns in the secured area of the airport. Prior to getting to the secured area, you’re free to carry, but once you’re entering into a secured area, it is against the law to carry a firearm,” said Capt. Toya Young of Atlanta Police.
As the busiest airport, Atlanta leads in the most firearm seizures at passenger screening and there have also been dozens of non-TSA airport employees in recent years caught with guns trying to enter their work location in secure areas of the airport.
