The Transportation Security Administration says that a gun recovered at Newark Liberty International Airport Monday apparently belonged to a competitive shooter from Pennsylvania.

A spokesperson for the TSA says that security agents found the unloaded .45 caliber handgun in the man's luggage when he was going through security.

The traveler, whose name was not released, apparently told the agents that he is on a competitive shooting team and forgot he had the weapon with him.

Authorities say he faces a weapons charge.

Officials said the incident marked the fourth time this year that TSA officers caught someone with a gun at Newark airport checkpoints. Fourteen guns were intercepted at the airport's checkpoints, the most in a single year.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.