Loaded handgun found in carry-on

Calgary police have arrested a man at the Calgary Airport after a loaded handgun was discovered in his carry-on luggage.

Police were called to the airport's pre-boarding area at around 7:50 a.m. Friday morning after screening officers saw the gun while x-raying the man's luggage.

The gun was an unregistered, fully loaded, 9mm handgun and a second loaded magazine was also inside the bag.

A 41-year-old man from Medicine Hat is charged with unsafe storage handling or transportation of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a restricted or prohibited weapon with ammunition and possession of a weapon at an aerodrome.

The man claims that he forgot the gun was in the bag. He is not known to police and is cooperating.

The Minister of State responsible for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Rob Merrifield, says he commends screeners at the airport for noticing the weapon and keeping travelers safe.

"The Government of Canada has taken significant steps to protect Canadian air travellers. It's cases such as this that highlight the importance of our air security system," said Merrifield.

The man's name is not being released until he sees a Justice of Peace.