Pierce Brosnan -- Stopped by TSA ... Tried to Board Plane With a Knife

Pierce Brosnan tried to board a plane Sunday afternoon with a knife in his bag, but 007 couldn't slip it by TSA agents ... who called him out on it.

A TSA official from the Burlington International Airport in Vermont tells TMZ ... it is unclear if Brosnan knew the knife was in his carry-on bag, but once they saw the weapon ... they pulled the bag aside and called over Brosnan.

The official says they gave Brosnan the option to surrender the knife, or put it in his checked baggage. He took door #2, and went on his way.

No arrest. No citation.