Gun found in child's toy at RI airport

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -  Rhode Island Airport Police say the discovery of a disassembled gun and ammunition hidden inside stuffed animal toys during a screening at T.F. Green Airport Monday, appears to be domestic related and never posed a security threat.

Investigators say the firearm was "artfully concealed" inside three stuffed animals located in a carry-on bag of a child who was traveling with his father.

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Airport police say the main frame of a .40 caliber firearm was inside one stuffed animal, inside a second stuffed toy was a magazine loaded with two .40 caliber rounds and a firing pin.

The slide release lever was hidden inside a third stuffed animal.

"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.

Eyewitness News has learned that police confiscated the items and interviewed the father. The man and his son were allowed continue on 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 is ongoing, they were comfortable allowing the father and son to continue on their flight."

Reporter Kathryn Sotnik asked, "was the public ever in any danger?"

"No, the public was never in any danger," Davis said.

Authorities say the incident remains under investigation.

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