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Asheville-US Congressman Madison Corthorn is likely to face federal fines and loss of special security after being robbed by airport police, local and federal officials said.
Republican lawmakers representing District 11 of western North Carolina found a loaded gun with a loaded magazine on February 13, according to Asheville Regional Airport officials. I was about to board an airplane.
The weapon was described as a “Glock 9mm pistol” in edited incident reports and police radio traffic records.
Cawthorn, who answered the question that a spokesman accidentally brought a gun on July 30, was not charged with any crime, according to reports and other information obtained this month through a request for public records. That’s a normal result, said spokeswoman Tina Kinsey.
“By 2021, eight guns were reported at the checkpoint and no criminal accusations were filed in either case,” Kinsey said, with passengers’ guns secured and allowed to move without guns. He added that it was done.
According to Kinsey, Kothorn’s gun was fixed at the airport and was recovered after the flight.
In the recording, I hear one officer repeatedly finding an officer elected with a gun to another.
“The elected official, Madison Corthorn, has a gun,” he said.
Police then discussed what to do with the gun and said at some point that Corthorn might have the gun taken to the car. Later they say they secure it because his flight is 7 minutes.
According to TSA spokesman Mark Howell, criminal rules for airport guns vary widely across the country in accordance with local and state law.
“In New York, they are handcuffed and take you out of the airport,” Howell said. “In Georgia, you can open your carry anywhere. It’s different everywhere.”
Bringing in criminal charges is left to local law enforcement agencies. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, city police usually defend people accused of bringing guns Charlotte lawyer Brad Smith is punished with up to 60 days in prison for having a gun at a checkpoint. To the airport, which stated that it was imposing guns on people under the City Ordinance to punish Class 2.
“I haven’t defended anyone in Asheville, but if it’s the position that Asheville takes, it’s a 180-degree different approach from Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” Smith said.
While the Asheville airport is in the city, the city government cannot manage it like Charlotte does.
In 2012, the Republican majority state legislature abolished a committee of city and Buncombe county supervisors. The General Assembly has given control to the new Greater Ashville Regional Airport Authority. They carry firearms or weapons on the premises of the airport, except for those to the extent permitted by federal and / or state law, unless the firearms or weapons are properly stored for transport. Or it is illegal to transport it. “
According to airport regulations, violating the law is considered a criminal misdemeanor. It was not clear why eight people, including Cawthorn, were not charged. Kinsey did not answer questions about the rules on the afternoon of July 30th.
According to TSA regulations, guns can be transported without load With a special check bag With hard side and case. According to Howell, in almost every case, someone with a gun or in a check bag accidentally brought a weapon.
Cawthorn spokesman Micah Bock said it happened to MPs.
“Five months ago, while on board an airplane, Congressman Corthorn accidentally stowed a gun in his carry-on baggage (which often doubles as a range bag) instead of a check bag. It was fixed and did not warp. “
Corthorn is always trying to follow TSA guidelines, he said, “quickly fixing this situation before boarding the plane.”
Cawthorn has made the right to own and carry different types of guns a central platform. He said during the January 6 Parliamentary rebellion He was armed, Possibility of violating house rules.
Howell said that in almost all cases, regardless of the reasons people give, those who are found to be transporting guns improperly face federal civil fines, and elected civil servants from potential penalties. He said it would not be excluded.
He refused to comment on Corthorn’s case, but said the February 13 case was “still pending.” The process can take months, according to Howell.
According to Smith, the fine is usually $ 2,000 for an unloaded gun and $ 4,000 for a loaded gun in the first case, but in the worst case it could be as much as $ 30,000.
It is not clear if this was Cawthorn’s first breach. His response to Citizen Timesbock did not answer questions, including whether lawmakers were previously found with guns at airport checkpoints.
If Cawthorn has a pre-check status, the quick check-in given to someone with special security clearances can cause him to lose it too. According to Howell, anyone who is found to be on board with a gun usually has its status suspended or revoked.
“If you bring a weapon in your carry-on baggage to a checkpoint, it’s not considered less risky,” he said.
2021_Firearm at TSA_DPS Documents for 2-13-21 Incident NS Joel Burgess With Scribd
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for over 20 years and covers politics, government and other news. He has written award-winning articles, from gerrymandering to the use of force by police.
This article was originally published in Asheville Citizen Times. Congressman Madison Corthorn tried to board the plane with a gun.May face well
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