Actor Dennis Farina has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for carrying a loaded gun, Reuters reports.

Police discovered a .22 semi-automatic pistol in the Law & Order star's briefcase as he moved through airport security. Farina was scheduled to board a flight back to his home in Chicago.

"Farina was very apologetic and cooperative with officers," a police statement said. "However, he had no apparent authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of his arrest."

The 64-year-old was booked on one misdemeanour count and had his bail set at $25,000 (£12,800). The charge was later changed to a felony and his bail raised to $35,000 (£17,900) after police discovered the firearm was not registered.

A former Chicago police officer, Farina moved into acting in the '80s and has appeared in films including Get Shorty, Out of Sight and Saving Private Ryan. His most well-known role is in the US police procedural drama Law & Order, where he stars as Detective Joe Fontana.

Farina's arrest quickly follows that of CSI's Gary Dourdan, who was arrested and later charged with possession of heroin, cocaine and Ecstasy.