Many arrested, charges often dropped for guns at airport

[SecularMotion]

ORLANDO, Fla. —

WFTV Investigates has discovered Transportation Security Administration officials are intercepting a growing number of guns at Orlando International Airport. And that charges against the gun owners often get dropped once they complete community service.

Prosecutors said the cases are often accidents and the punishment fits the crime. But not all travelers agree.

--- snip ---

WFTV tried to talk to some of those who have been arrested for having guns at the airport but none would go on camera. Most said they were afraid it would hurt them professionally. All of them said they didn't realize guns were in their bags.

"If they are a responsible weapon owner they will know where their weapons are," said traveler Roy Zinser.

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/9-investigates-many-arrested-few-prosecuted-guns-a/nR96w/

[bongbong]

1. LOL

> All of them said they didn't realize guns were in their bags.

Must be those super-responsible gun-owners that the Delicate Flowers in the DU Gun Lobby are always talking about!

[ileus]

2. That's the good news for firearm owners.

[Jumping John]

3. Seems then, that if the firearm had been stolen, the owner would have never been the wiser.

And the firearm could have been accessible to a child if the bag was stored in a closet or a room where the child could find it.

[ManiacJoe]

4. Reading between the lines...

It sounds like most of the TSA finds the gun in a bag that is normally used for other things and just happens to be a carry-on on that trip to the airport. For example, a briefcase.

Other than that, yes, you are responsible for everything you pack into your checked and unchecked luggage.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. I think there is more to this story and I am not surprised that it happens a lot in Florida.

[spin]

6. What do you suggest? ...

Perhaps we should throw them into prison or 10 or 20 years and consequently ruin their lives and the lives of those in their families. The state would also have to assume the expense of imprisoning these individuals and possibly providing assistance to their families.

Obviously forgetting you have a firearm in your carry on luggage is very stupid and irresponsible. It does deserve some punishment but I believe the severity of such punishment should consider the situation and circumstances. I would favor community service and the loss of the individual's concealed weapons permit at the most as long as an investigation showed no evil intent.

It is a sad fact that in our nation often people with a criminal record are found to be carrying illegal firearms and all too frequently they merely receive a slap on the wrist or the violation is plea bargained away. Perhaps the newspaper should do an investigative report on this subject but I doubt this will ever happen. I don't favor throwing such people into prison for 10 or 20 years either, but carrying an illegal firearm should be treated as a very serious offense. A high percentage of the violent gun crime in our nation is caused by the professional criminal element. We need to do far more do discourage those with a long and possibly violent criminal record from carrying illegal firearms. Severely punishing some fool who is a businessman or just going on vacation from accidentally carrying a firearm in his carry on luggage is somewhat less important.

How many aircraft have been hijacked by businessmen or tourists who simply forgot to check their luggage to see if they had stupidly left a firearm inside?

At least the TSA is detecting firearms in carry on baggage. That is positive.

[Jenoch]

7. I once forgot a knife

in my carryon bag. (It was a knife like the one shown in the link). The interesting part is that I discovered it in my bag a couple of days after I got to my destination and not at the airport security checkpoint. The knife was not a small Swiss Army knife either. It was not in my carryon bag on my return trip.

[link:http://www.bladeauthority.com/Spyderco_Delica_4_Black_FRN_Handle_ComboEdge_C11P_p/c11psbk.htm|

http://www.bladeauthority.com/Spyderco_Delica_4_Black_FRN_Handle_ComboEdge_C11P_p/c11psbk.htm

[Atypical Liberal]

8. Good.

Prosecutors said the cases are often accidents and the punishment fits the crime.

Exactly.

[petronius]

9. I agree as well. Much as I think that anyone who loses track of a gun is entitled

to a full-size ration of criticism and correction, it doesn't really deserve a criminal record. Diversion to (re)education and a warning is appropriate...