Accidentally Bringing a Firearm to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

Owning a firearm is fairly commonplace in the Sunshine State, and you may be used to carrying one with you. One place where you need to take more care with a gun, however, is the airport, as accidentally bringing a firearm to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport can lead to legal trouble if you fail to comply with rules set out by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

You could also face state criminal charges based on your possession of a weapon, which could end in jail time and fines. If you find yourself in this situation, contact our team of attorneys at Goldman Wetzel to build your defense and try to avoid charges and penalties.

What Are the General Rules for Bringing a Firearm to the Airport?

The TSA generally prohibits carrying firearms on planes. For most passengers, a gun must be transported in checked luggage and secured in line with the TSA’s guidelines—unloaded, enclosed in a locked container, and declared before flying.

Some individuals, such as law enforcement officers pre-cleared with the TSA, may be able to carry a weapon on the plane. However, you must check any firearms, ammunition, and accessories. Airlines may also impose certain limits, such as on the number of rounds of ammunition that a checked bag may contain.

Two levels of penalties can affect you if you unintentionally bring a gun to an airport such as Sarasota Bradenton International. First, the TSA can assess civil fines of hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you don’t transport a firearm as it prescribes. Simply breaking TSA rules can put you at risk of liability for these fines.

Second, if you carry a firearm at the airport, you may find yourself facing prosecution for a misdemeanor or felony, depending on whether you have a carry permit authorized by Florida law. If charges are brought, a lawyer can help craft your defense.

What You Should Do if You Brought a Gun to the Airport

If you forget that a firearm is in your bag or on your person when visiting the airport or preparing to fly, you may face civil fines and criminal charges. However, a defense attorney can help defend you against the TSA, prosecution, or both.

For civil fines, the TSA does not need to prove your intention, but an attorney can still help you show that it was merely an accident or that any fine assessed should be minimal, if assessed at all. A lawyer can also demonstrate that you have otherwise been safe and careful with your weapon in the past.

If you are facing criminal charges based on gun possession, it matters whether you inadvertently brought a firearm to Sarasota Bradenton airport. For the prosecution to obtain a conviction, it must prove your mental state—usually your intent—during any criminal conduct. If you clearly made a mistake, you may not have committed a crime at all, and a defense attorney can help to show any such lack of intention.

Contact an Attorney for Help if You Brought a Gun to Sarasota Bradenton by Accident

An honest mistake should not result in harsh penalties, but without representation, facing criminal charges and fines for accidentally bringing a firearm to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport could lead to punishment. With the help of our team at Goldman Wetzel, you can be sure that our lawyers will work to protect your interests.

We proactively and tenaciously pursue cases for our clients with a firm understanding of each situation. To learn more from our attorneys, schedule a consultation today.