Authorities: Hornets exec faces gun charge in NJ

NEWARK, N.J. -- Authorities say an executive with the NBA's New Orleans Hornets has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon after a handgun was found in his checked baggage at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport.

The Transportation Security Administration says team vice president of event presentation and broadcasting Joshua Richardson was headed back to Louisiana on Friday when agents found the gun in his bag. It's unclear if the gun was loaded.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police say Richardson was charged because he didn't have a permit to possess the weapon in New Jersey.

The TSA says passengers are allowed to put firearms and firearms components in checked baggage as long as all regulations are followed.

The Hornets said Monday they and Richardson won't comment.