Jason Hines, 38, of Ashford in Windham County, was stopped around 4:30 a.m. when TSA officers found the pistol in his bookbag during routine screening, Connecticut State Police said. The gun was loaded with nine rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine.
Hines told troopers he had forgotten the firearm was in his bag when he arrived at the Windsor Locks airport. Officials arrested him without incident, and authorities charged him with circumventing airport security, State Police said.
Hines was released after posting a $5,000 bond, authorities said.
The incident didn't cause any disruptions at the airport.
TSA hoped the incident would remind passengers to double-check their bags before arriving at the airport.
Passengers can travel with a firearm. However, they must follow all of TSA's rules. Click here to find more information on that process.
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