Armed man arrested at airport

A 68-year-old Oxnard man was arrested at Bob Hope Airport Tuesday after authorities discovered a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag, according to an announcement from the Transportation Security Administration on Thursday.

The man, Michael Cobb, was booked on an Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle and allegedly told authorities that he forgot he was carrying the loaded .22-caliber Colt Junior firearm.

He could face misdemeanor charges related to carrying a concealed loaded firearm in a secured area of an airport, according to Burbank police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

“He uses it at home for protection,” Ryburn said.

The weapon and ammunition were booked as evidence at the Burbank Police Department.

A handgun may be transported by a passenger only in checked baggage as long as it is unloaded, in a proper carrying case and declared to the airline, according to federal aviation regulations.

In addition to possible charges from the Burbank City Attorney’s Office, Cobb is subject to civil penalties assessed by the TSA of up to $11,000.