Via the Austin American-Statesman: State Rep. Drew Darby charged with taking weapon to Austin airport
Texas State Rep. Drew Darby is facing a felony charge after he attempted to take a weapon through a security screening at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this month, according to court documents.
[…]
The weapon was found to be in Darby’s brown leather carry-on bag and detected during an X-ray screening and subsequent search of Darby’s luggage, the affidavit said.
A Transportation Security Administration worker flagged an Austin police officer of the discovery, who then confirmed the weapon and ammunition was in the luggage, the affidavit said. Darby told the officer the weapon and magazine belonged to him and he was a concealed pistol license holder, the affidavit said.
Darby “stated he forgot his handgun was in his bag,” the affidavit said.
Ah yes, the ol’ “I forgot it was in there” excuse (that I think I first remember hearing from Barry Switzer back when he was the head coach of the Cowboys). Pretty much if you are that cavalier about where you left your firearm, I am pretty sure your concealed carry permit ought to be revoked (and indeed, I am not sure you are you should be licensed to own a gun period).
Along these lines, a story from 2012: That Loaded Gun in My Carry-On? Oh, I Forgot
the T.S.A. says the number of guns found at airport security checkpoints has been steadily rising for the last couple of years. Through Friday, 1,105 guns have been found this year, a pace that is higher than last year’s. In 2011, the total was 1,320, up from 1,123 in 2010, the agency says.
Security experts attribute the increase to two factors: a rise in gun sales and the sharp growth of so-called right-to-carry laws across the country that significantly relax regulations on carrying guns in many areas of public life, from colleges to hospitals.
Invariably, according to the T.S.A., travelers at airports with guns in their carry-on bags say they simply forgot they had them.
And if these people are this careless when going into a place known to have metal detectors and security who are especially focused on finding weapons, how are they behaving in other locations?
