Playboy Playmate arrested with gun at Orlando airport

Shanna Marie McLaughlin, a former Playboy Playmate and University of Central Florida graduate student, was arrested Monday evening at the Orlando International Airport when she tried to pass through a security checkpoint.

According to an arrest affidavit, McLaughlin placed her duffel bag into the X-ray machine and a Transportation Security Administration worker "saw what appeared to be a handgun on the screen." The affidavit said the worker discovered a Ruger SAA .45 long colt, loaded with hollow point bullets.

According to the report, McLaughlin "spontaneously stated the gun was her boyfriend's, and she did not know it was in there." She also told the worker that she has a concealed weapons permit, which he verified, the report stated.

Police arrested McLaughlin and charged her with a misdemeanor -- carrying a firearm in a place prohibited by law. Her mugshot was taken at the Orange County Jail on Monday night. She later posted bond of $250.

Local 6 News asked the TSA how many incidents like this have occurred at OIA.

"Our officers intercept several guns every day at checkpoints across the United States. In Orlando, last year we intercepted 28 guns that passengers brought to the checkpoint and year-to-date we have kept 19 guns from being carried in the cabin of planes leaving from Orlando," said Sari Koshetz, TSA spokeswoman. "Passengers need to remember that the last time they might have used a suitcase was for a road trip, and that they need to carefully inspect the contents of all luggage before coming to the airport. Our mission is to keep you safe and we do that every day."

McLaughlin is perhaps best known to Central Florida for a controversial photo shoot in the UCF locker room in 2010. McLaughlin, a UCF graduate student at the time, was seen in revealing clothing on the cover of Axis, an Orlando entertainment magazine.

McLaughlin offended some students and supporters, who said she misrepresented the values for which UCF stands. McLaughlin said at the time that the controversy brings good exposure and publicity to the university.