US comedian Mike Epps found with loaded gun in hand luggage at airport

A loaded gun found in the hand luggage of actor and comedian Mike Epps at an airport has been confiscated by US federal agents.

The 52-year-old was trying to board a flight from Indianapolis International Airport before the incident on Sunday morning.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered the Smith & Wesson .38-calibre pistol inside his backpack, airport police said.

Epps told agents at the TSA checkpoint that he forgot he had the weapon in his bag.

Agents seized the weapon but did not arrest the comedian.

It is not yet known where Epps was flying to or if he was travelling alone.

The TSA forwarded the case to the Marion County prosecutor’s office to consider if charges are necessary.

On Wednesday, spokesman Michael Leffler said the prosecutor’s office is reviewing the case.

He said: “These matters rarely result in criminal charges.

“I think it is important to note that the burden of proof required by statute and case law requires you to prove whether an individual knowingly or intentionally brought the firearm.

“Generally speaking, the most common circumstance is that firearms located by TSA or airport police are unintentionally left in bags,” he added.

Epps, from Indianapolis, has starred in movies such as The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2, Next Friday and Friday After Next.

He is also set to appear in the upcoming Marvel movie Madame Web starring Dakota Johnson, as well the Apple TV+ series Lady In The Lake starring Natalie Portman.

The TSA seized a record 6,542 guns at airports around the US last year.

The majority of people who are stopped for having a gun at an airport checkpoint claim they forgot they had the weapon with them.