A 61-year-old Arizona man was arrested this week after police said he brought a loaded gun into Palm Springs International Airport.
The gun, a Walther PPK, was located in the man’s carry-on luggage during the security screening process at around 10 a.m. Monday, according to police.
The Transportation Security Administration notified the Palm Springs Police Department, who arrested the man.
Police Chief Andy Mills said in a Facebook post the man was a retired firefighter who “forgot he had the gun on a return flight.”
“Tell your friends, don’t bring a gun to PSP,” he said in the post. “You will be arrested.”
A Walther PPK and ammunition that police say was confiscated at Palm Springs International Airport on Monday, Aug. 25.
The man was later released after giving a promise to appear in court, although police confiscated the firearm and ammunition they say he brought with him to the airport.
California law forbids the knowing possession of weapons in the sections of airports secured by the TSA screening process. Anyone convicted of violating the state law faces six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for the misdemeanor.
The TSA could also impose a civil penalty between $3,000 to $12,210 for a loaded firearm.
Palm Springs police spokesperson Gustavo Araiza said the case will be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney, who will determine whether to file charges.
In 2024, the TSA confiscated 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Man with loaded gun arrested at Palm Springs airport, police say