TSA employee found to have gun at work

A Transportation Security Administration employee — in charge of making sure no one even brings nail clippers onto planes — got himself in hot water when he brought a gun to work in New Hampshire last week

The identity of the male TSA agent, stopped at a security checkpoint at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport when a gun was found, was not released yesterday.

TSA spokesman Michael McCarthy said the gun was spotted after the employee clocked in for duty.

“The firearm was detected on Friday at the security checkpoint when a TSA employee underwent screening at the beginning of their shift,” McCarthy wrote in an email. “TSA takes these matters serious and is taking appropriate action. This matter was referred to local law enforcement, as are all instances of firearms at the checkpoint.”

McCarthy did not specify whether the agent is facing disciplinary action or dismissal. He said TSA does not normally release the identities of anyone who is snagged at checkpoint with a gun, and said the agency is not giving him special treatment.

The TSA employee was not charged criminally, McCarthy said. Londonderry police investigated. They could not be reached for comment yesterday.

There was no attempt to conceal the gun, and the agent is believed to have mistakenly brought it to work, authorities said.

Travelers with guns in their luggage found at security can face penalties ranging from $1,310 to $2,610, per the TSA’s website.