The Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration contacted the Alaska State Troopers at 7:55 am on Wednesday to report that a firearm had been located at the Benny Benson State Airport.

The .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun was located by a TSA officer operating the X-ray machine in the restricted screening area at the airport.

Investigation of the firearm would find that the magazine for the weapon was fully loaded with 16 rounds. The chamber was empty.

It was found that the weapon belonged to a 26-year-old resident of Kodiak. The pistol was seized and the passenger was released on his own recognizance.

The investigating officers determined that no one else was involved in the incident and the jet was allowed to continue to Anchorage.

Charges of a Prohibited Weapon in a Restricted Area will be forwarded to the Kodiak District Attorney’s office for review.