Palm Springs Passenger Arrested After Loaded Gun Found By Airport Security

A passenger bound to Portland, Ore., was arrested at Palm Springs International Airport on Tuesday after security agents found what appeared to be a loaded semi-automatic gun in his carry-on bag.

Transportation Security Administration officers said they found the loaded handgun in a bag belonging to a 71-year-old man as it was passing through security screenings on Tuesday morning.

The passenger, Andrew Sandowski, 71, of Salem, Ore., was ticketed on Alaska Airlines Flight 591. He reportedly told TSA agents he thought the gun was in the trunk of his car.

Palm Springs police officers responded to the airport, where they seized the Beretta 380 and 12 rounds of ammunition. They arrested him on state charges of possession of a firearm in an airport sterile area.

“This incident does not appear to be related to any type of terrorist activity at this time,” said Palm Springs police spokesman Mike Kovaleff.

According to the Beretta website, the 380 models are designed for sportsmen, competitive target shooters, law enforcement and personal defense.

California law allows handguns to be transported via commercial air, so long as the weapon is declared to the airline, contained in checked luggage, unloaded and in the proper, locked carrying case.

The passenger was transported to the Riverside County Jail in Banning, where bail has yet to be set.