Costly $$$ Careless Mistake

[VaTom]

Thanks for all the responses. Va.has a code section prohibiting carrying a weapon into an air terminal with exceptions for checked bags, law enforcement, etc. Class I misdemeanor and confiscation of firearm. (Class I misdemeanor in Va is the highest misdemeanor and has maximum fine of $1,000 or 12 months in jail or both. He was charged on a summons and released. The way I read regulations the TSA can also impose a Civil Fine.

A good man who made a stupid error that will cost him an attorney and any fines.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

VaTom, your summary says it all:

A good man who made a stupid error that will cost him an attorney and any fines.

All the rest is boring commentary.

 

[SMSgt]

Hard-working, law-abiding, but shy in the smarts department.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

This was pre-TSA…but I went to Dulles Airport outside of DC to pick up my (then) wife. This was when you could pass through the security checkpoint to meet passengers at the gate.

I went through security and the guy took my cigar cutter made from a .44Magnum case attached to my key chain. That it was obviously benign made no difference…that I had my police badge and credentials made no difference.

The officer said he'd save it for when I came back from the secured area. Of course he was no where to be found when I came back through…he didn't put it where he should have…maybe he intended to keep it. I did get it back but didn't think it should have gone the way it did.

 

[keith44spl]

Sorry to hear about the above mishap.

We all have laps from time to time.
When we receive 'bought' lessons,
we remember them much longer.

If he doesn't get the charges dropped,
a good lawyer can start working on expungement.

Wishing them the best of luck.

///

 

[ColbyBruce]

My nephew did the same thing three years ago at Hartsfield-Jackson airport here in Atlanta. He was arrested and released on bail but nothing has become of it. He still flies domestically and internationally. He wasn't fined. Best of luck to your family.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Like others I am sorry for this predicament. However if there is any bright spot in all this it is that this lapse in judgement is now ingrained and unlikely to be repeated.

 

[hdfinder47]

Hard-working, law-abiding, but shy in the smarts department.

A good friend and long time fellow LE firearms instructor realized upon unpacking aboard a cruise ship that he had his Model 36 in a side pocket of one of his bags. He had gone through the security check point but they missed it. He turned it in to security and, very long story short, he got it back after disembarking (with police involvement). Oh, he's a renowned oral surgeon and anything but "shy in the smarts department". It happens.
Ed

 

[Magnum_PI]

Sorry that happened to them, but definitely needs to be more careful and not so careless about his guns.

Second to that is, I'm surprised anyone would willingly fly with all the plane equipment issues lately!

I hope everything turns out okay and the issue is minimal in the end.

 

[Rustyt1953]

"Well, I hope this experience hasn't put any of you off flying. Statistically speaking, it's still the safest way to travel." ~ C. Kent

 

[rck281]

Better to have TSA find it than leave it laying around for a kid to find.

 

[tlawler]

I'm flying to Houston on business this morning, and seeing this thread last night prompted me to double check my carryon laptop backpack. I found my Kershaw Leek folder buried in one of the pockets. Wouldn't have gotten detained over that probably, but I would have had to give it up at the gate and it's a little sentimental.

 

[Mike0251]

^ Enjoyed a local beach trip a couple of years ago, had my Swiss Army knife with us (retirement gift) and all was well. After our return over the next 7 months I never saw the knife. Umm wonder where that is. Well at that 7 months later we flew to Florida for a vaca. TSA found it for me in a little pocket in my toiletry bag. They kept it.

 

[ladder13]

Almost 7,000 guns were "discovered" at airports in 2023. I'll take a wild guess and say it's better to be caught in Jackson Hole than JFK.

 

[Pisgah]

On an alternate note, after a flight from NC to AZ last June I discovered a Bic lighter, a small folding knife, and a single .38 Special round in my bag, any of which could have gotten me arrested -- but none of which were found.

Never forget, a few years back TSA tested its own system, expecting a gun might get past screening 3% of the time. 97% of their testers made it through.

TSA is a pathetic, rights-trampling fake of a "security" system.

 

[johngalt]

On an alternate note, after a flight from NC to AZ last June I discovered a Bic lighter, a small folding knife, and a single .38 Special round in my bag, any of which could have gotten me arrested -- but none of which were found.

Never forget, a few years back TSA tested its own system, expecting a gun might get past screening 3% of the time. 97% of their testers made it through.

TSA is a pathetic, rights-trampling fake of a "security" system.

Would you actually tolerate the kind of security procedures that would be necessary to detect the other 97%?

 

[jimgoldth]

Concealed carry at Airport.

I remember in 1999 I was taking a trip and went through a TSA site and put my keys in the basket before going through the X-Ray machine. The attendant saw the 6" aluminum 1/4" round rod and said "that is a weapon!!!" I showed her my police ID. I did not really carry it as a weapon. I considered it as a tool primarily in the case I needed it to clean the barrel of my service revolver which I did not have with me. She was insistent that it was a weapon and she would have to confiscate it. We went back and forth and she called for a uniformed Police Officer on duty. He thought her argument was a bit silly and told her that as a Police Officer I could actually carry a revolver or have one in my luggage with the proper forms filled. If she thought that it was a weapon she had a form that she could sign that I was a police officer with a weapon. She did that and I was allowed to get on the plane as an (armed police officer). Coming back I did not run into any problem with my 6" x 1/4" WEAPON.

 

[AlHunt]

Would you actually tolerate the kind of security procedures that would be necessary to detect the other 97%?

In fact, I don't tolerate the procedures required to detect the 3%.

I haven't flown since 9/11.

 

[Kevin J.]

I still have subscriptions for two gun magazines as I am old school and enjoy reading off of paper. I don't even take these on flights as reading material. Just not worth the possible hassles or freak outs.

 

[old bear]

Tom, I am sorry to hear this. We all make mistakes, but some are more costly than others. Ask me about the my three ex-wives I hope things work out well for the young Gentleman.
Can't be to careful out there.