What Happens If You Accidentally Bring a Gun to the Airport In Florida?
It happens all the time. You’re in a rush to get packed for a trip and, inevitably, you forget one of the most essential items. Once you get to your destination and realize what you’ve done, you can usually go out to a store and purchase a replacement. But what happens when you accidentally pack something you didn’t mean to?
Every year, there are people who bring a gun to the airport in their luggage. When the TSA comes across the weapon, it’s an alarming experience because of the obvious safety concerns. Here’s what usually happens in these situations.
Can I Bring A Gun On a Plane?
There are times when an individual will need to transport a gun from one location to another via air travel. The only way weapons, like guns, are allowed to fly is in a checked bag. Here are recommendations for flying with a weapon.
- Obtain the appropriate permits to carry a gun
- Inform TSA that you have a firearm in your checked bag
- Pack any ammunition for the gun separately
- Put the firearm in a locked case inside of your checked bag
- Make sure all safety measures on the gun are in place
If a TSA agent finds a firearm that is not locked and secure, it’s their duty and responsibility to report the weapon, conduct a search, and question the owner.
What Are the Penalties For Weapons at Airports?
According to the TSA, taking a firearm onto an airplane is considered a federal misdemeanor. If a TSA agent finds a firearm in a carry-on bag, the individual can face up to $100,000 and a year in jail. The typical first-time fine for a person who carries a firearm into a checkpoint is $3,900. In 2017, approximately $1.45 million dollars in fines were charged to individuals who packed firearms in carry-on luggage. If the gun was intended to be used in a crime, the penalties are more severe.
Whether or not the weapon that is found in your checked bag was there accidentally or intentionally doesn’t matter. The TSA takes airport safety very seriously and has a responsibility to prosecute any person who threatens the safety of other flyers. If you’re planning on traveling with a gun, it’s in your best interest to double-check all of your bags to ensure they’re packed appropriately.
Contact a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney For Your Firearm Charges
In Orlando, the most trusted law firm for firearm charges is the team at The Umansky Law Firm. With more than 100 years of combined experience, The Umansky Law Firm has represented thousands of criminal cases across central Florida. Our attorneys believe that you shouldn’t let your life be defined by a single mistake and that everyone deserves a second chance. Let us help you get that second chance.
To speak directly to an attorney, call The Umansky Law Firm or contact us online today. We are ready to defend your firearm case.
