FAA Probes Employee Who Allegedly Flew From Atlanta To LaGuardia With Gun In Carry-On
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/CBS News/AP) -- An employee of the Federal Aviation Administration was arrested at LaGuardia Airport this week after he flew from Atlanta to New York with a gun in a carry-on, authorities told CBS News Friday.
The arrest prompted the FAA to suspend a program that allows inspectors from the agency to bypass security.
The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement an FAA safety inspector bypassed a security with a checkpoint with his badge Tuesday, and made it to a secure area of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport with his gun in the bag.
He was arrested upon arriving at LaGuardia, CBS News reported.
In a statement published by CBS News, the FAA said that it "takes security incidents involving its employees very seriously," and that Administrator Michael Huerta ordered the suspension of the program allowing safety inspectors to bypass security screenings.
"The agency also will require inspectors to sign a new agreement that details each inspector's responsibility under the program and clearly states that any infraction related to a weapon will result in an immediate and permanent suspension of privileges and possible further disciplinary action," the FAA said.
The FAA said the inspector was "performing non-safety-related duties," while the incident is investigated. The TSA and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police were also investigating, CBS News reported.
The TSA also said it has taken immediate steps to enhance security at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and other major U.S. airports. The changes could include additional requirements for employee security screenings and additional patrols by TSA teams of law enforcement and screening professionals.
The arrest came less than a month after investigators uncovered a gun-smuggling scheme involving current and former airline employees and planes flying from Atlanta to New York, CBS News reported.
Five people were arrested, including a Delta Air Lines baggage handler. The baggage handler is accused of also using his security badge to bypass security and deliver guns to a smuggler on multiple occasions, CBS News reported.
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