A contractor was arrested Tuesday while allegedly trying to carry a gun into the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan.

Around 8:30 a.m., Buren Palmer, an outside contractor for Indian Point, arrived to perform maintenance on a reactor. Authorities say as he was passing through a routine checkpoint, security guards discovered a semi-automatic loaded handgun in his bag and called the police.

Authorities say Palmer, of Pennsylvania, claimed that he simply forgot he had the weapon on him when he tried to walk into the plant for a training session.

"This shows security works very well," says Indian Point spokesperson Robyn Bentley.

Palmer works for an outside company, Westinghouse, and was contracted to do maintenance work at the plant. Tuesday was his first day on the job.

This is the latest in a number of incidents involving Indian Point employees. Back in March of 2008, two workers tested positive for cocaine and were put on paid administrative leave, but not fired.

Last summer, a guard was caught sleeping on the job at the plant. He later resigned.

As for Palmer, plant officials say he will not be coming back. The 39-year-old has been charged with misdemeanor weapon's possession, and if convicted, he faces up to a year behind bars.