The Transportation Safety Administration discovered a disassembled firearm hidden inside three stuffed animals inside the carry-on bag of child on Monday.

The TSA found the firearm during a security checkpoint around 4:10 p.m. in the carry-on bag carried by the small boy.  The child was travelling with his father to Detroit. The weapon is described as “artfully” concealed; the main frame of the .40 caliber firearm was inside one stuffed animal, a magazine loaded with two rounds and a firing pin were inside the second stuffed animal, and the slide release lever was inside the third.

“It was a great catch yesterday at the T.F. Green security checkpoint at T.F. Green airport,” said Ann Davis, the Public Affairs Manager for T.F. Green. “It served as an important reminder that unfortunately passengers continue to bring dangerous items to the check points and they sometimes use unsuspecting individuals like children and the elderly to do so.”

The RIAC police confiscated the firearm and after interviewing the father, they allowed the man and his son to continue onto their flight. “They evaluated the situation and determined it would be safe to allow the father and the son to board their aircraft,” said Davis. Although she noted, “the matter remains under investigation.”

In a written statement, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation says the incident appears to be the result of a domestic dispute. It was jointly investigated by the RI Airport Police, FBI and the RI State Police and it was determined that there was no threat at any time to air safety.

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