A friend of mine made a BIG mistake (gun in airport!)

[cbhausen]

The difference that I have read is that the "concealed means concealed" is against policys when that crowd is doing it., not Laws.

I havent been around long, just my opinion from reading this site for hours on end.

There are plenty of folks willing to carry in places where it's illegal and deal with the consequences if the need to defend oneself arises. They just don't want to get caught before that time comes.

I won't begrudge anyone for this very personal decision, I just choose to play it safe and obey the laws on the books while doing what I can to change the ones I don't like. It's all about risk management. Avoid trouble where you can and be ready if you can't.

 

[PatriotPride]

If we say these good guys deserve a break when they make stupid mistakes like this then the next time A thread about a cop giving someone a hard time about OC cause he doesnt know the law pops up, everyone should say "I understand, they have a lot of laws to remember"

Apples and semi-trucks. You're very much off-base, and Dross did an excellent job of explaining part of the reason why.

It's not our place to judge this man. He made an honest mistake, and now he will have to deal with it.

I do find it interesting that there tends to be less outcry over an incident such as this when it involves law enforcement.

Cut the man some slack. Have I ever forgotten to secure my weapon? No. Have I been tired enough---after working 12-16 hours multiple days in a row---to possibly forget my weapon? Yes. He slipped up, didn't run through a checklist and verify the status of his items. It can, does, and will happen again to gunowners---and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the majority of occurences were attributed to certain INGOers.

 

[critter592]

1. This happens EVERY week in the USA anywhere from 10 to 25 times.

2. There should be no carry on luggage. Small bags and coats fine. But carry on luggage is a PITA for us airline people. And, it's legal to check firearms through. Maybe he was thinking he would check his firearm and forgot out of habbit like most people taking their luggage through the scanners. Hey it's possible.

 

[ezdubbin97]

I can see where it is possible to forget such a small gun.

1. The guy has money, this is most likely not his primary carry weapon. It could be one of a dozen pocket pistols he owns. Perhaps he has one for each of his cars, desks, whatever. Size alone makes it hard to keep track of.

2. He does a lot of in town/state travel using the bag to legally carry it as a backup type gun.

Add these possible factors to being busy and on the run a lot I could see how it could be very easy and possible to forget something like this. He is also of the age to not have young children in the house (thats he one thing that keeps me always on my toes to remember where the guns are at all times).

Not trying to argue, but looking at it from his "possible" situation. I hope it all goes well for him.

 

[DCR]

The TSA Blog: Guns are No Fun at the Checkpoint
This TSA blog says 2x a day.

I agree carryons are a PITA for everybody, but there wouldn't be such a carryon problem if checking bags wasn't a bigger PITA.

 

[Sylvain]

IM sorry but when I hear these stories I dont feel bad for the person. If you "forgot" where your gun is then you are irresponsible to begin with.

I agree, how can you forget where your gun is?!
Especialy if you know that you are going thru security at the airport.
I always triple check all my bags and pockets to make sure there is no knife or any "dangerous object" according to the TSA.
Maybe this person shouldnt have a gun in the first place if he "forgets" things like that.

 

[rmabrey]

Apples and semi-trucks. You're very much off-base, and Dross did an excellent job of explaining part of the reason why.

It's not our place to judge this man. He made an honest mistake, and now he will have to deal with it.

I do find it interesting that there tends to be less outcry over an incident such as this when it involves law enforcement.

Cut the man some slack. Have I ever forgotten to secure my weapon? No. Have I been tired enough---after working 12-16 hours multiple days in a row---to possibly forget my weapon? Yes. He slipped up, didn't run through a checklist and verify the status of his items. It can, does, and will happen again to gunowners---and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the majority of occurences were attributed to certain INGOers.

I simply stated it was irresponsible to not know where your gun is at all times. Nobody here can argue that fact. He made a mistake that happened to be illegal and now he has to face the consequences.

It is a shame that he could lose his LTCH and guns and that should never be the case and i do not wish to see anyone disarmed.

Im not going to feel sorry for the guy though, and if people dont like that tough ****. Grow some thicker skin, or dont post on a public forum if your not willing to except differing opinions


I appreciate dross clea ring up my terrible analogy(which ill agree it was)
but you get the point i was trying to make

 

[tbhausen]

Where is the common sense in this situation? Pull the guy aside, question him, do a background check... If everything comes up clean, "Take it out to your car, and have a nice day, sir." The right shouldn't even be denied in the first place, and anyone who doesn't mind seeing the "book thrown at him" because he is irresponsible is as big a problem as big government/TSA run amok. What kind of country do we want to live in, here? Let's apply just a little common sense...

 

[cbhausen]

Where is the common sense in this situation? Pull the guy aside, question him, do a background check... If everything comes up clean, "Take it out to your car, and have a nice day, sir." The right shouldn't even be denied in the first place, and anyone who doesn't mind seeing the "book thrown at him" because he is irresponsible is as big a problem as big government/TSA run amok. What kind of country do we want to live in, here? Let's apply just a little common sense...

How about "Show me your LTCH, sir" followed by "Have a nice trip... Your weapon will be safely stored until your return..."

Next best thing to taking it on the plane, IMHO...

 

[Compatriot G]

While I hope nothing really bad happens, one should thoroughly check their bags before going to the airport. Plus, this isn't a new rule. You couldn't carry a firearm on board a commercial aircraft before 9/11. The first LTCH I received in 1988 stated right on the front, "Not valid on commercial aircraft".

 

[loony1]

I sold my keltec pf9 because I go into Chicago a lot and may or may have not found on one or more hypothetical occasions how easy it is to forget that gun is in your pocket. I switched to heaver guns so I'm no confused as to whether or not I'm carrying. I feel very bad for him. That gun slips into a corner of a pocket or the corner of a suitcase and you just completely forget where it is.

I have a friend of a friend who's dad put a .38 pistol in his backpack on a hunting trip in Wisconsin (innocent intentions). The guy didn't know about it and went into the security line. I think he got a year or two of probation.

did i really read what i thought i did, you get confused whether or not you are carrying? If that is truly the case, please stop carrying a pistol right away.

 

[Love the 1911]

My friend was flying into WV from Canada last week. he accidentally moved a pair of socks from his check in to his carry on luggage. The socks contained a knife,

Three times they went through his luggage three times before the knife was found in his socks. he said his heart went into his throat when he say it.

He asked the security guy what happened now and the security guy said, you can leave it with us for destruction, you can courier it back to your home or you can pay a dollar a day here at the airport for storage and pick it up when you come back.

It was a gist from a relative so he filled out the paperwork, out it into storage, prepaid his $10, went back through security and boarded the plane. Thank goodness for common sense Canadians.

Common sense of Canadians? They don't allow any handguns in Canada. All guns must be registered. Their common sense left the country long ago.

Glad your buddy got his knife back though

 

[ATM]

did i really read what i thought i did, you get confused whether or not you are carrying? If that is truly the case, please stop carrying a pistol right away.

Why?

Once a person gets over the newness of carrying, it is actually quite easy to forget the firearm's presence or the need to disarm for whatever reason (no-carry areas, etc.)

The primary focus is no longer on yourself or the gun - nothing strange or unsafe there. Just need to pay attention to remember the stupid laws and/or those policies you choose to follow.

 

[Muzzleloaderbill]

Hers a ?. If you are just picking someone up in the airport. Can you still carry?

 

[ATM]

Hers a ?. If you are just picking someone up in the airport. Can you still carry?

Sure. Just can't go through security into a secure area.

 

[ATOMonkey]

I'm glad the pre-crime statists were able to eliminate the threat before it fully manifested itself as a bloodbath on the airplane. I mean, those things can just go off at any point in time.

 

[Glock18FA]

Hers a ?. If you are just picking someone up in the airport. Can you still carry?

Yes, you can even walk into the airport where the restaurants are. The wording states that you can not go into a secured area of the building. Which I take that meaning any area past the metal detectors.

 

[opus1776]

Common sense of Canadians? They don't allow any handguns in Canada. All guns must be registered. Their common sense left the country long ago.

You might want to do a bit of research regarding your statement that I put in red---you are absolutely wrong!

Canandians can have handgun as long as the barrel is at least 105mm in length. Here's a reference for ya....

A Practical Guide to Canada's Gun Laws for Americans

======================================
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" K. Moss

You can NEVER be too rich or too thin.

Life is not a journey, but a series of unplanned detours...

Perfection: is not a goal-- it's an demanded expectation.

 

[Zoub]

He gets a fine from the TSA, it will take about 1 to 2 years to get it. He didn't break a law he disobeyed a civil code.

What criminal charges he may face will come from Marion County. He seems to be well connected there so it will be minimal and he won't lose his right to carry as it is not a Felony.


The best way I ever heard it said: "Before 9/11 a mistake was not illegal."

 

[slars1327]

It's embarrassing to say the least. All good intentions and status get tossed when something like this happens. You look at the person involved , know he is a great guy and that an error was made but in the long run these are the kind of errors ALL of us must work to avoid. This kinda stuff gives anti-gunners an opening to such things as : The guy didn't know where he left his gun? How can he even be allowed to OWN a gun if he can't keep track of it etc. I do hope the problem does get straightened out without any major hassles.