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(727) 828-3900 You may own a firearm and be used to taking it with you wherever you go, but flying with a gun can be difficult. Accidentally bringing a firearm to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport without taking the right steps can get you in trouble with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and you may face local criminal charges.
Fortunately, you can rely on the help of our firearm defense attorneys at Goldman Wetzel to represent you if you face charges. With our defense attorney on your side, you can push back and try to avoid serious consequences.
The TSA restricts guns on planes. You must check any firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories rather than keeping them in your carry-on luggage. Checking these items entails following the TSA’s requirements exactly. Firearms must be declared, unloaded, and locked in a proper container.
Some law enforcement officers can receive clearance from the TSA to carry firearms on flights, but most airline customers will incur charges and fines for doing so. For example, the TSA can assess civil penalties (fines) of thousands of dollars for bringing a firearm to an airport.
In addition to fines from the TSA, accidentally bringing a gun to an airport such as St. Pete-Clearwater can lead to local gun charges, which can include a misdemeanor (if you have a concealed carry permit) or a felony. The aid of an attorney can be critical for avoiding criminal charges and their consequences.
Having a lawyer on your side can make a difference if you break the TSA’s rules and are accused of a crime. Our attorneys can help craft your defense and show that you did not mean to bring a firearm to the airport.
For local criminal charges, the prosecution must show some level of intention to convict you of a crime, even a lower-level misdemeanor. If you unintentionally brought a gun to St. Pete-Clearwater airport, a defense attorney familiar with the local court system can show that you did not intend to break the rules.
Although violations of TSA requirements do not require the same intent as a criminal charge, an attorney may still be able to help you show that you should not be given a large fine. For example, a lawyer can demonstrate the accidental nature of what happened and show that you are a responsible and safe gun owner.
You do not deserve to be punished for an accident, but you could still find yourself responsible for fines and suspected of a crime for bringing a gun to the airport. Rather than facing the worst consequences of accidentally bringing a firearm to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, you can have your lawyer build your defense and represent your interests.
At Goldman Wetzel, our team works tirelessly for our clients, bringing a proactive approach to criminal defense to difficult cases. We will listen to you and evaluate your case, so contact our office for a consultation.
