At approximately 2:30 PM Saturday, Clifford "T.I." Harris was arrested in a Midtown Atlanta parking lot for a gun-purchasing transaction. Due to the fact that T.I. is a convicted felon (from 1998) gun possession is illegal. Authorities were reportedly aware of the purchase through the cooperation of a former bodyguard.

According to CNN, T.I. had $12,000 to purchase several guns with silencers. After the ensuing search of T.I.'s car and home, other guns were found, including one in the center console of the car T.I. was driving.

The sting was the result of an arrest made earlier this week, on Wednesday, to T.I.'s bodyguard, trying to purchase nine weapons unregistered with The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was there that the bodyguard agreed to cooperate with authorities, regarding the pickup on Saturday.

Despite his arrest and subsequent absence, T.I. still won the BET Awards for "Best CD of the Year," a tie with Common. Harris also was the sole winner for "Best Ringtone" for his spring-summer hit "Big Things Poppin'."

HipHopDX has contacted T.I.'s attorney, but has yet to hear back. More details to come as they are made available.