AZTOY
February 28, 2003, 09:43 PM
Going to Sky Harbor next week? Leave the gun at home
Judy Nichols
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 28, 2003 07:30 PM
Every passenger caught with a firearm at security checkpoints at Sky Harbor International Airport will now face criminal prosecution, officials said Friday.
The "zero-tolerance" policy will go into effect on Tuesday, when new signs and announcements will be introduced at the checkpoints, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Schneider.
The signs will ask passengers to stop before reaching the screeners and double-check their bags.
"If they get to the scanner and we find a weapon in their carry-on, we will assume they meant to sneak it on the plane, and we will prosecute," Schneider said.
The policy applies specifically to firearms, but those carrying knives or explosives also could face prosecution.
Previously, the U.S. Attorney's Office decided on a case-by-case basis whether to pursue prosecution.
"When security found a gun, people would say, 'Oh, I forgot about that,' " Schneider said. "The question is did they honestly forget or were they saying that to cover up for trying to sneak the gun on the plane.
"It's difficult to show their mental state."
Violators will be charged with carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft, and will face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
There have been several prosecutions since Sept. 11, 2001, Schneider said, including a retired police officer who attempted to bring in four synthetic knives hidden in his socks, a woman carrying a 3-inch knife, and a man who had a firearm hidden in a VCR.
A jury acquitted the officer; the other cases are pending.
Reach the reporter at judy.nichols@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-8577.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0228guncheck-ON.html
Judy Nichols
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 28, 2003 07:30 PM
Every passenger caught with a firearm at security checkpoints at Sky Harbor International Airport will now face criminal prosecution, officials said Friday.
The "zero-tolerance" policy will go into effect on Tuesday, when new signs and announcements will be introduced at the checkpoints, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Schneider.
The signs will ask passengers to stop before reaching the screeners and double-check their bags.
"If they get to the scanner and we find a weapon in their carry-on, we will assume they meant to sneak it on the plane, and we will prosecute," Schneider said.
The policy applies specifically to firearms, but those carrying knives or explosives also could face prosecution.
Previously, the U.S. Attorney's Office decided on a case-by-case basis whether to pursue prosecution.
"When security found a gun, people would say, 'Oh, I forgot about that,' " Schneider said. "The question is did they honestly forget or were they saying that to cover up for trying to sneak the gun on the plane.
"It's difficult to show their mental state."
Violators will be charged with carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft, and will face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
There have been several prosecutions since Sept. 11, 2001, Schneider said, including a retired police officer who attempted to bring in four synthetic knives hidden in his socks, a woman carrying a 3-inch knife, and a man who had a firearm hidden in a VCR.
A jury acquitted the officer; the other cases are pending.
Reach the reporter at judy.nichols@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-8577.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0228guncheck-ON.html