Bengals offensive lineman Andre Smith arrested after allegedly bringing gun to airport

ATLANTA - Bengals offensive lineman Andre Smith was arrested Thursday after he allegedly brought a gun to an airport in Atlanta.

Atlanta police say they found a loaded .380 pistol in Smith's carry-on bag when he tried to board a plane at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport around 4:50 p.m. Thursday. Police responded to the scene and arrested Smith.

“We continue to remind passengers of the importance of looking through carry-on bags to ensure there are no prohibited items inside,” said Jon Allen, TSA spokesman.

TSA officials say this is the third firearm discovered at Hartsfield-Jackson airport this year. In 2012, 1,548 firearms were discovered at airports nationwide, which is up 1,320 from 2011. Officials say the majority of the firearms were loaded.

Smith, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama, appeared in court Friday morning and was issued a $3,000 bond.

Smith was one of just 10 Bengals to start all 16 games in the 2012 season.

9 On Your Side and WCPO.com will post more details about this incident as they become available.