Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Can I Travel on an Airplane With a Firearm?
Many citizens in North Carolina own at least one firearm. According to a report, about 46% of households in North Carolina had at least one gun. The number could be even higher. Often, people keep firearms for protection or for hunting. If you plan to travel, you may want to bring your firearm along with you. It is important to know the laws that apply to bringing firearms and other weapons to the airport and how to pack them properly for legal travel.
Can I Carry a Firearm at the Airport?
Airport rules and regulations regarding security have tightened significantly since 9/11. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CTL) has a number of rules in place that pertain to anyone entering the airport grounds. Passengers are not allowed to bring any type of firearm that can propel a projectile into the airport. You may not bring any auxiliary firearm equipment, such as ammunition or silencers. Other types of weapons are not allowed, including but not limited to sling shots, knives, razor blades, brass knuckles, and stun guns.
In this video, Managing Member Matt Arnold explains the laws regarding traveling by plane with firearms. It is important to be aware of the laws that apply to bringing firearms and other weapons to the airport, as well as how to pack them properly for legal travel.
TSA Rules for Properly Packing Firearms
It is possible to transport a firearm as long as you do so in accordance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules. Lawfully owned firearms can be transported in a checked bag. The firearm cannot be loaded with ammunition. You may transport ammunition and items related to a firearm as long as it is located within your checked bag. You are not permitted to carry a firearm on your person or in a carry-on bag at the airport or on an airplane. You must acknowledge any weapons to TSA.
Penalties for Carrying a Firearm At the Airport
If you are caught carrying a firearm in the airport you will face some severe penalties that could include state federal charges. The TSA imposes harsh fines for carrying a firearm at the airport, even if you did so unknowingly. The TSA fines range from about $300 to $10,000 depending on the specific offense. For instance, failure to properly secure a firearm could result in TSA fines of up to $1,300.
In addition, carrying a firearm at the airport is a Class I misdemeanor in North Carolina. If convicted, you will face a sentence of up to 120 days in jail. A federal conviction could result in fines of up to $100,000 and up to a year in prison. Your sentence might also include community service, house arrest, or probation. Keep in mind that you will face consequences from the TSA as well as criminal charges. You could be charged by both the state and federal governments.
Defending Firearm Charges
Firearms charges can be stressful and complicated to deal with. There are some options for defending the charges or for getting the charges reduced. You may also be able to seek reduced sentencing depending on the circumstances of the charges. An experienced criminal defense attorney will help you defend the charges and assist you in getting the best possible outcome. If you have been charged with illegal firearm possession, contact us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC at (704) 370-2828 to discuss the details today.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/gun-ownership-rates-by-state/32/
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/air-soft-gun-1-1500175
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC?feature=watch
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