Nuclear security

Gun found at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant; TVA launches investigation

A contractor working at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in north Alabama brought a handgun to the plant on Thursday, leading the Tennessee Valley Authority to heighten security at all three of its nuclear plants.

Browns Ferry, located about 10 miles west of Decatur on the Tennessee River, was placed under an "unusual event" - the least of four emergency classifications - at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, TVA spokesman Jim Hopson told AL.com Friday. The plant exited the "unusual event" at about 3 p.m. Thursday.

The contractor had his nuclear clearance revoked, was escorted from the plant and is no longer working at the plant, Hopson said.

Hopson said he did not have details on how the gun was discovered but it was not on the contractor when it was found. The gun, a derringer, was loaded and discovered by nuclear security, Hopson said.