Delaware state senator charged with firearm on an aircraft

A Delaware State senator was reportedly charged with having a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag at the Salisbury Ocean City Regional Airport on Thursday.

According to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, around 8:10 a.m., a deputy working an assignment at the Salisbury Ocean City Regional Airport on Terminal Road was contacted by the Transportation Security Administration.

Deputies say that a TSA officer found a loaded handgun in the carry-on bag of 43-year-old State Senator Brian Pettyjohn, of Georgetown. Pettyjohn was detained and the deputy seized the handgun.

Investigators say that the deputy completed a charges application for firearm on an aircraft and presented it to the District Court Commissioner. The Commissioner issued a criminal summons on charging document on Thursday.

The service of the criminal summons on Pettyjohn is pending.

47 ABC has reached out to State Senator Pettyjohn for a comment.