Passenger: Gun found in toys unsettling

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -  A family dispute may be behind an incident at T.F. Green that led airport officials to discover parts of a gun hidden inside three stuffed animals.

The stuffed animals were inside a four year old’s carry-on bag, which went through normal security screening.

"The stuffed animals were contained in a carry-on bag and the carry-on bag was going through the x-ray monitor," Ann Davis from TSA stated.

Rhode Island Airport Police said the main frame of a .40 caliber firearm was inside a stuffed teddy bear, a Mickey Mouse toy had a slide release lever inside, and a stuffed rabbit contained two .40 caliber rounds and a firing pin.

• Related: Gun found in child's toy at T.F. Green
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The TSA said the father claims he was not aware they were there.

"He indicated that he was unaware that they were there,” Davis said during a phone interview.

Investigators said the firearm and ammunition were “artfully concealed”, but said they allowed the father and his four-year-old son to board their flight on Pinnacle 4036 from Providence to Detroit.

"The law enforcement did interview the father at length and for reasons we can't really get into because the investigation does remain ongoing. The officers were comfortable allowing the father and son to continue on their flight," explained Davis.

TSA also said agents followed proper protocol and immediately notified airport police after uncovering the items.

Davis assured that “the public was never in any danger.”

Still, passengers at T.F. Green Airport Tuesday night said they were shocked by the discovery.

"They pretty much screen everything, so that's a good thing. And the fact that they caught it is a good thing. But, it's just scary if it did go through. That would have been scary," said Loveena Leonardo, a passenger.

"It's kind of unsettling. But, we have to fly, and so we never fly now without thinking twice. It’s not as relaxed or enjoyable as it used to be," said Ann Wagner, also a passenger.

Officials are now looking at the man’s wife to find out how the disassembled gun got into the stuffed toys.

The items were confiscated. The man was never arrested and his name has not been released.