This past Sunday, a man traveling on Alaska Airlines was questioned regarding the loaded handgun found in his duffle bag. The gun made it through airport security unnoticed until it fell out of the bag as the luggage was being loaded into the plane. It is legal to carry unloaded firearms in the cargo section of the plane if you have first secured permission. However, this handgun was loaded and the man had not notified the airport or the airline he was traveling on.
The TSA has released a statement saying that it was not their responsibility to screen luggage for weapons, however, there are those who believe they were partly to blame for this oversight. It remains to be seen whether the man will be formally charged with a crime regarding the weapon.
If you have been arrested for any weapon violation, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney before you proceed. A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from our firm has experience in every area of criminal defense law, from DUI to federal crimes to murder to white collar crimes. To see how we could help you, contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.