A Georgia tourist thought it would be OK to walk into the Empire State Building with a loaded pistol, but was arrested when he tried to check it like a coat, cops said.

Evon Allen, 39, was busted when he told security he had a .40 caliber Sig Sauer gun on him, sources said.

He had a valid concealed-carrier permit from Georgia, cops said, although he has a prior arrest for criminal possession of a weapon.

Two years ago, a Tennessee woman visiting the World Trade Center memorial was arrested on similar charges.