I screwed up.

[jscwerve]

I've been taking the train to work for the last few weeks to avoid parking my truck downtown. Id doing so I keep my little bodyguard in a pocket of my backpack instead of my truck center console.

I also travel a lot for work.

Brain farted today coming to the airport and forgot to remve said little .380.

Yup. They caught it in TSA precheck line.

I know I'm going to lose my preferred TSA status with a nice $3000.00 fine from them.

My concern is for other problems stemming from my stupidity.

Anyone have experience with this? Were you charged by the Denver DA, and of so, what was the charge?

Am I going to lose my concealed permit?


I do have to say the Denver PD was very understanding of the situation. I was detained, got to take a nice long walk through the airport in cuffs, sit in a holding cell that smelled like years of old piss. It didn't take long, they were actually concerned about what time my flight left and were expedient in getting me through. Miranda rights, questioning, confiscated the pistol of course, and on my way.

I would have even made my flight, they took me right to the front of the line to make it. They failed to mention that they unloaded the magazine and put it back into my backpack. So, whole process again, TSA finds magazine, calls supervisor, then calls PD. Missed my flight, cop was apologetic about the magazine thing. Funny I guess.

Again, my main concern is what charge I might catch from the Denver VA and if I'm gonna lose my permit.

Should I lawyer up?

Any advice is appreciated.

J.C.

[newracer]

I would at least start looking for a lawyer.

[Bailey Guns]

That sucks for sure.

Never happened to me so I can't tell you what to expect. I seriously doubt you're going to hurt yourself by cooperating in this case. At leasr initially. Pretty hard to argue they didn't find your gun. But I'd at least get a consult with one or more attorneys.

[jscwerve]

I'm making a list of a few attorneys to call when I get the time. I can't see that it will be a huge criminal charge, just curious as to what. I would think that if it was a big deal they would have arrested me and actually taken me to jail, not 45 minutes start to finish and off to my flight.

Getting my gun back is I'm certain a whole other can of worms.

Strangest question they asked me though was "who is this gun registered to?". My answer was no one, gun databases are illegal in Colorado.

[Irving]

I have family that was arrested for concealed carry without a permit where the gun was confiscated. The police department eventually offered the pistol back.

[bczandm]

That sucks, sorry to hear about this. I've heard that some of the fines have dropped to $500 because it is such a common occurance, I can't say that is from a great source but let's hope it's true. Let us know how you do.

[StagLefty]

I have family that was arrested for concealed carry without a permit where the gun was confiscated. The police department eventually offered the pistol back.

I've always been curious about that. Is that SOP confiscating the gun ?

[asmo]

Yup. They caught it in TSA precheck line.

I know I'm going to lose my preferred TSA status with a nice $3000.00 fine from them.

I have a buddy that this happened to about 2 years ago. Wasn't in the pre-check line, but the normal one. Same thing, he got detained, cops were very nice, he made his flight. In the end he got a follow-up question from the DA (written response required), asking about his version of what happened, which he filled out and sent back. Couple of months later he got a letter saying no charges were going to be filed. Got his LCP back about 11 months after the incident. Never got a fine. Flew again out of DIA a couple of weeks later and saw the same cops - they were nice and joked about it. Didn't loose his permit (Elbert county).

Having a lawyer wouldn't be a bad thing, but I wouldn't sweat it that much. Unless they try and make an example out of you.

[Great-Kazoo]

#1 : talk to an attorney

#2 : If you were not charged then, i doubt there would be any charges down the road.

#3 : refer to #1

[BlasterBob]

I have family that was arrested for concealed carry without a permit where the gun was confiscated. The police department eventually offered the pistol back.

My younger brother's home in Chicago was burglarized some years ago and a bunch of silver coins were stolen along with his S&W snubbie .38. A couple years later, he actually got the revolver returned to him but had the arresting officers initials scratched into the frame for identification. The brother had a good friend - a Chicago Judge who apparently "pulled a few strings" since normally these recovered guns are dumped far out in Lake Michigan. Lucky guy and yes, it had been REGISTERED in the City.