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Conservative GOP Congressman Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina was caught by airport security trying to board a plane with an unloaded handgun and a loaded magazine in his carry-on bag.
The incident happened in February at the Asheville North Carolina Regional Airport. It was allegedly a mistake by the Congressman. He claimed he intended to put the firearm and ammunition into his checked luggage.
Cawthorn said in a statement the oversight was a mistake made because he uses the same carry-on bag to carry his guns and ammo when not traveling.
The TSA stop was made public by a group seeking to get the Cawthorn removed from office, FireMadison.com. They obtained an audio recording of the incident including airport security discussing confiscating the 9mm handgun.
You can listen to the audio below:
Yes, please. We are the folks that uncovered this story and fighting 24/7 to hold Cawthorn accountable. Please listen to the police audio here: https://firemadison.com/congressman-david-madison-cawthorn-caught-trying-to-take-a-glock-firearm-on-commercial-flight/\u00a0\u2026\n\nand then support us by chipping in at:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fm-social\u00a0\u2026— Fire Madison Cawthorn -American Muckrakers PAC (@Fire Madison Cawthorn -American Muckrakers PAC) 1627845613
Cawthorn spokesman Micah Bock made a statement to the Raleigh News Observer on the GOP Congressman's behalf.
Bock said:
"Five months ago, while boarding a flight, Rep. Cawthorn erroneously stowed a firearm in his carry-on (that often doubles as a range bag) instead of his checked bag."
“The firearm was secured, and unchambered. Rep. Cawthorn endeavors to always follow TSA guidelines, and quickly rectified this situation before boarding his flight."
As a result of the incident, Cawthorn will most likely end up with a hefty fine. According to Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mark Howell even first offenses typically carry a fine of $2,000 for an unloaded firearm and $4,000 for one that is loaded.
Howell also said any TSA PreCheck status—which allows people who qualify that are deemed low risk to bypass some of the airport security measures—will likely be revoked.
Howell stated:
"We can't deem you a low risk any more if you are bringing weapons in your carry-on bag to the checkpoint."
People were duly upset at the lack of awareness Cawthorn displayed, citing responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times.
Responsible gun owners know where there firearms are, & where/when they cannot carry/possess. 100% control. There is no one over age 12 in America, who does not know you cannot take a handgun into airplane. He needs to be placed in THE OTHER CATEGORY of Special Security status.— Paul Maxwell (@Paul Maxwell) 1627748567
Yup - one time I forgot I had a small Swiss Army Knife my late father had given me years prior in my purse. After begging them to let me somehow mail it to my house or have someone come pick it up for me, they threw it in the trash.— juliet \u2638\ufe0f \ud83c\udf0e \ud83d\udd96\ud83c\udf0a (@juliet \u2638\ufe0f \ud83c\udf0e \ud83d\udd96\ud83c\udf0a) 1627753681
Let a black man, Latino or Muslim pull that on a plane, they would be arrested in a New York minute !!!— J. C. Brough (@J. C. Brough) 1627743547
This is NOT an example of responsible gun ownership. Owners of firearms should know where each is, rather than *unaware* that a firearm has been packed. All of mine are locked unless in transit and use. Carelessness with them leads to accidental injury and deaths. Shameful.— Geaux Navy! (@Geaux Navy!) 1627738909
More disturbingly however, it was revealed this wasn't the first time this year Cawthorn had broken a gun law.
He claimed to have a loaded concealed weapon inside the Capitol.
He didn't get arrested so the rules apparently do not apply to him.— Dude, Mom (@Dude, Mom) 1627744044
It was his second offense in 6 months. These aren\u2019t accidents. He also admitted to being armed during the 1/6 insurrection. He just thinks he can do whatever he wants and is pushing the envelope for political exposure.— Kim (@Kim) 1627750594
Howell did point out although it is a criminal misdemeanor for anyone to bring an unauthorized firearm into the Asheville Regional Airport, none of the eight people who have been stopped with one have been charged this year.