The fact that you forget you have a gun on your person or in your immediate possession makes me doubt your competence to handle the weapon safely or responsibly.
From the News Journal: “State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn missed his flight Thursday after TSA found his handgun in his carry-on. Pettyjohn, a Republican from Georgetown, said he was headed to the Southern Regional Education Board conference in New Orleans on an early flight out of Salisbury Regional Airport and, in his rush to pack, forgot to properly stow his 9mm handgun.”
You cherish this right so much that you would fight to death over it, and yet you treat it with such disrespect.
UPDATE: He’s been charged. “[Pettyjohn] has been charged with having a firearm on an aircraft, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. […] The charge is a felony that carries a maximum of up to 10 years, according to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.”
COME ON! (Yes, that’s worth all caps!)
How does anyone forget they’re carrying a gun? Not to mention, he flippin’ packed it in his carry-on! That is inexcusable… and irresponsible.
That’s why they ask if you packed your own bag, or if you have left it unattended at any time. Also, why did he feel he needed a gun at an educational conference?
“It’s just one of those things where I didn’t check that one little flap, and there it was,” Pettyjohn said. “Sometimes mistakes happen, whether you’re a legislator or not.”
Because the “little flap” is the thing that conceals the weight of a three and a half pound pistol?
He had an unsecured firearm and he had no idea where it was. I hope there’s no children in his home.
They are most likely unsecured as well.
Well said and much too true.
The entire argument against gun control measures is located in the business of personal responsibility. That somehow you are going to be safer in the presence of someone who knows that they are doing with a gun than otherwise. This guy couldn’t even remember that his gun was in his luggage. I am hoping that they went outside to his car to make sure he didn’t leave a kid locked in a hot car.
Wonder if he carries that thing in Leg Hall?
I thought the same thing and realized I definitely didn’t feel safer with the prospect that he might be (I’m there 2-3 days every week). Merit Rules prevent employees from carrying, realizing he’s not a merit employee, it is I believe still illegal to carry on state property unless you’re law enforcement. (I may be mistaken on that last part)
He has small kids at home, so he’s either not a responsible gun owner (forgot a loaded gun was in a bag that was presumably NOT in a locked safe etc. out where kids could get it, even if it was in a closet) or he lied.
Legis doesn’t have to go through the metal detector. Maybe they should.
Been a regular person charged jail and possible bail
One newspaper article yesterday (I think the Cape Gazette) noted that while Pettyjohn was cleared to fly (sans gun, I imagine), that charges were pending. And probably a fine.
Sen. Bryan Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) forgot he had a gun and misses a flight, but Philando Castile remembered he had a gun and he’s killed on the spot.
Excellent point.
Well said and much too true.
If only this were uncommon. TSA finds dozens of guns in carry-on bags every week, and government tests have shown they miss more than they catch.
Just like a GOP to bring a gun to a nice flight
That was extremely clever!
Seems Pettyjohn has been charged, and with a felony no less. Watch as frantic efforts to make the charge “go away” begin.
I’m so old that I remember when Pettyjohn got on the ballot because of a guy that had to drop due to a felony charge.
Venebles always carried a gun at Leg Hall. I was just advised that they can carry. Scary.