TSA: "If you're honest, we'll arrest you"

[Porsche-O-Phile]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/23/airport.gun/index.html

Loaded gun slips through airport security

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A passenger who went through an airport security checkpoint -- before remembering that he had a loaded gun -- is facing charges after going back to report his error, authorities said.

Travelers go through security at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Gregory Scott Hinkle, 53, of Davis, West Virginia, went through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, an airport spokeswoman said.

After the traveler evidently recalled having the gun, he returned to the checkpoint and disclosed the weapon, authorities said.

The TSA contacted airport police, who charged the man with possessing or transporting a firearm into an air carrier terminal where prohibited, a misdemeanor, and released him. He is scheduled to appear April 2 in Arlington County, Virginia, General District Court.

Hinkle did not immediately return a phone call to his residence.

A TSA spokesman said the agency reviewed airport surveillance camera videos of the incident and removed the screener from security duties while an investigation is under way.

"Appropriate actions will be taken once the investigation is complete," spokesman Christopher White said.

White said that 14 guns were discovered at checkpoints around the country last week. On average, screeners find two guns a day, he said.

"We know this is not a systemic problem in that our testing indicates TSOs [Transportation Security Officers] have a very high success rate at finding firearms. Given the high degree of reliability that our TSOs can find even carefully concealed firearms, we are evaluating every aspect of this incident," White said.

[red-beard]

Sorry, he was stupid. He should have taken his bags, and gone back to his car, and put the pistol in the glove box, locked. Reporting yourself for something like this will not win you any points.

[Rick Lee]

He was an IDIOT for admitting it. I knew someone who did exactly this and then realized it when he got on the plane. When he reached his destination, he headed to the UPS store and mailed it back to himself. That's a lot cheaper and he got to keep the gun.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

"We know this is not a systemic problem in that our testing indicates TSOs [Transportation Security Officers] have a very high success rate at finding firearms.

What an idiotic statement! How the hell do you know how much you DIDN'T find? If one got through, you can't be certain of how many did get through, therefore their success right may be abysmal and they wouldn't know!

[red-beard]

Why are guns banned on aircraft? No one can hijack an aircraft with a knife or gun.

Personally, I think things are banned and people inconvienced, so that it "looks" like something is being done. Like the scrap metal, rubber and donation of nylons during WWII. No real effect, but it makes the people think they are helping.

[VaSteve]

Oh ****....don'tget me started. I'm in Boston today. I arrived yesterday and had to make a trip to the drug store to replace my shaving cream, toothpaste, deodorant and hair gel. $30 of stuff I had to rebuy since AQ ****ed up my freedoms. That toothpaste was brand ****ing new. I hadn't brushed one tooth with it. The TSA guy seems to relish taking this stuff away from me, he grabbed the toothpaste and said "I'm not done yet...." and went for the rest.

As I was cussing the terrorists, he was right there with me, but I still pumped up the Boston economy rebuying this stuff. Grrr. Yes, it's my fault, but for crying out loud.

[Sapporo Guy]

lolo, got a gun through.

Just what I thought, screening is just a crock of *$%&
People get delayed, your bags get riffled through, and you have to wait in long lines.

Why don't they just set up huge x-ray machines to check everybody! Just like on that movie ...

Besides, if you wanted to hijack a plain I really don't think you'd bother with going through checkin anymore. There are so many was in from the back end that I was laughing while watching the ground crew.

Plus would be that our prices would drop, you wouldn't have to watch the security guys roll your bags like shopping carts when we were kids, and we all would have finally found the "friendly skies" again :P

[Rick Lee]

At least they don't have Nat. Guardsmen with rifles in the airports anymore. How safe did that make you feel? Just like seeing the jackbooted thugs with machine guns in the train stations. Yeah, that'll deter a suicide bomber.

[911boost]

You want fun, check a hand gun at SFO. Yep, been there, done that. It went pretty smoothly taking everything into account. If you are ever in a position to take a hand gun and ammo with you, pm me, and I can give you some tips.

Bill

edited to say that I flew about 75,000 miles last year, all domestically, so I get to deal with TSA all the time...

[1fastredsc]

What's funny about airport security is how the plate in my right knee sets off the metal detectors every single time since 9/11. And yet you can somehow still get a gun passed them? Who the hell makes these machines?

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by BSiple

You want fun, check a hand gun at SFO. Yep, been there, done that. It went pretty smoothly taking everything into account. If you are ever in a position to take a hand gun and ammo with you, pm me, and I can give you some tips.

Bill

edited to say that I flew about 75,000 miles last year, all domestically, so I get to deal with TSA all the time...

I've checked hand guns a few times... but aren't all guns illegal in SF ? What do the commies that run the city do when you show up with one ?

[id10t]

9dreizig - "peaceful journey" laws apply.. if legal where you started and ended, not much in-betweeners can do...

[cairns]

About a year ago a Marine Corps captain in South Carolina gave me a k-bar as a present. For those of you who don't know that's very big knife designed primarily for stabbing people.

I put it in my carry on to return to Dulles (on a puddle jumper) and meant to mention it at security but was actually taking a phone call as I went through.

They never caught it. I thought about returning and saying something but am glad I didn't.

OTOH TSA have found and taken numerous pairs of small scissors, shave cream, toothpaste and the like.

[techweenie]

TSA drones randomly decided to confiscate my 2 ounces of toothpaste last month, because the *capacity* of the tube was 3.6 oz. Did they think I'd get together with the rest of my toothpaste smuggling cadre and refill enroute? Or did they think at all?

This stuff is all window dressing to mollify the masses. Unchecked containers arriving in our ports are 1000X the risk of any 'get or liquid' being transported. Has any credible scientist demonstrated how these substances could make a security risk?

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by BSiple

You want fun, check a hand gun at SFO. Yep, been there, done that. It went pretty smoothly taking everything into account. If you are ever in a position to take a hand gun and ammo with you, pm me, and I can give you some tips.

Bill

edited to say that I flew about 75,000 miles last year, all domestically, so I get to deal with TSA all the time...

I've done it in El Paso, BWI, Dulles, Reagan Nat., Chicago Midway, Vegas and a few others. Never a problem. Sure was a sight to see me have to clear my P220 at the ticket counter at Chicago Midway. Very full crowd and they all gawked at me.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

White said that 14 guns were discovered at checkpoints around the country last week. On average, screeners find two guns a day, he said.

Well now I don't feel so bad. Two years ago I went through security with a pistol in my carry on. I assure you - they did find it.

I was on my way to Canada (of all places to take a pistol!) and had a very early flight - 6am. Last minute, I decided to use a different bag for my carry on, not realizing that in a back compartment was a small pistol that my dad gave me last time I visited him. Well, I'm in screening, shoes off, bag on conveyor, and everything stops. I'm standing there with an employee and some random guy waiting. We're joking about "What did you do?' type stuff. Not long after, when a bunch more TSA people are called over, we realize something is afoot. They ask me (serious puckering at this point) if the black bag is mine. "Uh...yeah?" TSA-"What do you have in the bag sir?" I'm thinking maybe I have a fold out knife in there or something random and unnacceptable that I forgot. "Uhhhh.....keys, hard drive, camera, ....uh..." TSA -nods, calls Sheriff. Then he pulls a pistol case, MY pistol case, out of the bag. It was kind of like that scene in Vertigo when Jimmy Stewart sees the girl falling and gets tunnel vision and zooms in on her. My eyes must have been like saucers. I truly, then, and to this day, do not remember ever putting the gun in there. I felt as if God himself was playing a cruel trick on me and placed it there like friggin magic.

Needless to say, I was "processed". I will say that the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Dept and TSA personal handled the whole thing very professionally. My first words to the sheriff were "I'll cooperate completely - just tell me what to do." Maybe I got off easy. No cavity search, no stick time, not even rude behavior. I was grilled by TSA officials who, justifiably, were finding it hard to believe that I simply did not know how the gun got there. I did tell them that I obviously did it and was not suggesting otherwise, but I really, truly, do not remember doing it.

The following week I was due in court for CCW. I hired a very good liar to stem the tide of judicial wrath. Turns out, I didn't need to. The DA threw it out pretty much the second it hit his desk. Turns out this happens a lot. If you are not a criminal, they will probably not waste any time on you....probably. To top it off, the attorney refunded my fees! What a guy! I bumped him $300 anyway for his time. Later TSA, which is entirely seperate from the courts system, fined me $1500 for being a dumb a$$. I'm not complaining.

Looking back on the whole thing is easier now. I was very embarrassed about it for a long time. I was at the tail end of two weeks of insomnia. It really messes with your head. None the less, I gave all my pistols to my Dad to lock in his gun safe. What if one of my kid's friends would have found it in my house? That bag had been kicked around all over my house for weeks! It could have had a far more tragic ending. One that I'm not willing to chance.

So, on the topic - No - I would not turn it in. I would sneak back out to my car and stow the weapon. I have total respect for TSA and associated law enforcement, but I would rather not incurr their wrath.

[Red Baron]

Wonder if he's related to Barry Switzer?

[Rick Lee]

SLO-BOB, did you get your pistol back?

[skipdup]

Yeah, I've brought my pistol, in checked bag, many times. Never a problem...

[SLO-BOB]

No. I could have gotten it back, but I would have had to hire the same attorney to make it happen to the tune of $700+. Not worth it.

If I were to add up the costs of my brain fart it would probably come to about $10 -12 k. I was on a business trip that obviously didn't happen.