State Senator Arrested With Gun At Airport

[Clarence]

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/23/delaware-state-senator-charged-after-gun-found-carry/423488001/

This looks like an honest mistake.  I know nothing about this politician but this really does look like an excessive charge. 

[AudiQ]

I would like to think us ccw license holders know where our weapons are especially when loaded. Interstate transport regs and MD prohibition also come into play. I forgot that I have a loaded weapon is a tough one to defend.

[SturmRugerSR9]

Pettyjohn has been charged in Wicomico by the Sheriff. Will have to stand trial. Minimum Fine is usually $3000.00 Maximum $10,000.00 and up to 10 years in jail. We will see what happens.

[seniorgeek]

Every CCW holder in DE knows about MD policies, so this should not be a surprise to Mr. Pettyjohn.
I avoid MD like a plague because of their restrictive gun laws.

[Just Bill]

Need I point out what would happen to us lower life types in the same circumstance?

[Clarence]

Need I point out what would happen to us lower life types in the same circumstance?

Hopefully this will be seen as an honest mistake.  Not to excuse "forgetting" you have a gun but the gravity of the charge is IMHO excessive in the maximum degree.

He was released by the TSA as the Federal offense for unknowingly having a gun at check in is a civil offense. This excessive charge is by the Wicomico Sheriff under Maryland law.

Obviously there was no criminal intent here. 

[hap_hazzard]

He did not intend to break the law so he should not be prosecuted. He should get Comey to look into things for him. Heck when this is over he should run for president!  The Hillary Defense 😂

[RetCapt1994]

They should check if he has ties to Russia.

[Clarence]

Update:   Looks like this politician got off.  Hopefully
Common citizens will get the same deal. Looks like it was
An honest mistake.  No excuse for forgetting you have a gun.
So I hope he learned a lesson without someone getting hurt.

Here is from WSH PST:

Local
Delaware senator enters plea, gets probation on gun charge
By Randall Chase | AP
September 29 at 6:22 PM
Loaded in 0.92 seconds
DOVER, Del. — A Delaware state senator who carried a loaded handgun into a Maryland airport has reached a deal with prosecutors allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction and prison time.

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn agreed to probation before judgment Friday on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a handgun, which he forfeited to Wicomico County authorities. A felony charge of attempting to carry a firearm on an aircraft, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, was dismissed.

The deal means Pettyjohn will avoid a conviction upon completion of his probation.

Pettyjohn, a Georgetown Republican, was headed to a conference in June when workers at Salisbury Regional Airport found the gun in his laptop bag.

Pettyjohn, who has a Delaware concealed-carry license, said he inadvertently left the gun in the bag while packing.

[Paladin4CA]

Update:   Looks like this politician got off.  Hopefully
Common citizens will get the same deal. Looks like it was
An honest mistake.  No excuse for forgetting you have a gun.
So I hope he learned a lesson without someone getting hurt.

Here is from WSH PST:

<snip>

Pettyjohn, who has a Delaware concealed-carry license, said he inadvertently left the gun in the bag while packing.

I've got a feeling, if he wasn't before he is now a supporter of a concealed carry national reciprocity law....   

[Clarence]

Update:   Looks like this politician got off.  Hopefully
Common citizens will get the same deal. Looks like it was
An honest mistake.  No excuse for forgetting you have a gun.
So I hope he learned a lesson without someone getting hurt.

Here is from WSH PST:

<snip>

Pettyjohn, who has a Delaware concealed-carry license, said he inadvertently left the gun in the bag while packing.

I've got a feeling, if he wasn't before he is now a supporter of a concealed carry national reciprocity law....   

He is a downstate rural area politician I would assume he is pro gun

[SturmRugerSR9]

Pettyjohn caught a break. As a C/C gun owner, I know where my EDC is at all times. He had his with him and didn know where it was? I can't buy it. I expect the same slap on the wrist if I get caught in Maryland. Well, don't think so.