TSA finds gun parts in boy's stuffed toys at Rhode Island Airport

Transport Security Officials (TSA) at T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, say a man traveling with his 4-year-old son claims he did not know that the boy''s stuffed toys contained parts that could be assembled into a loaded gun.

Rhode Island Airport Police Chief Leo Messier said the incident appeared "to be the result of a domestic dispute." A report following joint investigation by the airport police, state police and FBI determined there was no threat at any time to air safety. CNN reports that a TSA official saw weapons concealed in a stuffed teddy bear, a bunny rabbit and a Mickey Mouse toy as they went through checkpoint X-ray machine on Monday. The TSA called Rhode Island Airport Police and they conducted a search of the bag. According to CNN, the police found the main body of a .40-caliber firearm, a magazine with two .40-caliber rounds and a firing pin and slide. CNN reports law enforcement officers interviewed the man who said he was unaware there were gun parts inside the toys. Airport security officials confiscated the gun parts and allowed father and son to continue their flight to Detroit. The Inquisitr reports the weapons were "artfully" concealed within the toys. But according to the police, investigation determined that the situation arose due to a "domestic dispute" and that the man and his child "did not pose a risk" to airport safety or other passengers. According to statement by airport officials at Rhode Island: "It 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." Boston Herald reports TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis, said: “Law enforcement interviewed the father at length. They were comfortable allowing him to rebook.” She said any criminal charges would be left to the FBI and airport police. CNN reports airport officials said in a news release: "This is just another example that threats can appear anywhere, and this is why TSA officers take a closer look at everything. It's also an example that shows that even though TSA has modified the screening process for children 12 and under, the security process is still just as effective."