Gun found in airport bathroom

[Alex45ACP]

Gun found in airport bathroom

The gun was not smuggled through security. The person who lost it was authorized to carry it and had cleared security at another airport.

The SIG-Sauer is one of the most deadly and accurate handguns in the world. rolleyes: ) Thursday one was found in one of the women's bathrooms on concourse A. It was sitting by itself and police said that anyone could have picked it up.

"That's a pretty serious offense, it's pretty irresponsible to leave your gun," said Stuart Miller a passenger.

Police and airport officials said that an officer from the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia was transporting a female prisoner. They stopped at Charlotte Douglas to catch a connecting flight.

That's when the officer went to the ladies room where she apparently forgot her service pistol.

"I think the odds of someone finding it are pretty high, but the odds of someone finding it who has malicious intent is probably negligibly small," said Miller.

A member of the cleaning crew found the gun. Police said only minutes passed by when it was left and when it was found.

All of the people 6NEWS talked to believe the officer should be punished.

Passenger Charity Mills doesn’t think she should have been flying at all.

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on," said Mills.

6NEWS has not heard from the T.S.A or the Fairfax Police Department.

Officers familiar with the case don't think this infraction is enough to cost the officer her job assuming that she has a relatively clean work record.

The name of the officer has not been released. The gun is in the custody of the Charlotte Police Department.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-111105-jmn-gun_found_in_airport.4ee13c75.html

 

[CGofMP]

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on," said Mills.

:banghead:

Good LORD.... of all the stupid, myopic, short sighted, inane, retarded...
oh wait.. high road... er yea..

Mills should have taken their CAR on this trip not a plane....

Let me phrase it the way it SHOULD have been said:

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are not flying with our own sidearms on.

 

[Kurush]

Let me phrase it the way it SHOULD have been said:

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are not flying with our own sidearms on.

How about "Personally I don't think that officers with scary guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on, but I don't want to pay for chartered flights for individual prisoners either, so maybe I should just go pound sand."

 

[Parker Dean]

Passenger Charity Mills doesn’t think she should have been flying at all.

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on," said Mills.

It would be mildly interesting to track down this Charity Mills and see if she really exists, and if she does did she really say that.

 

[AF_INT1N0]

Damn.... I coulda used another Sig. Some guys get all the luck...

 

[Alex45ACP]

It would be mildly interesting to track down this Charity Mills and see if she really exists, and if she does did she really say that.

She did, they have a video report on the site.

 

[otomik]

she's got a point, depending on the offense I'd prefer the prison be kept in a cage in the baggage hold or we could simply attach a rope to the prisoner (preferabbly around the neck) and drag them behind the plane the whole trip.

 

[c_yeager]

Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on

What do they need a gun for? The prisoner is in chains and unarmed, I fail to see the requirement for having an armed officer. Sure, they could carry one on general principles "just in case" but until I get the same option I have no problem with these guys checking their weapons along with the rest of us.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

What do they need a gun for? The prisoner is in chains and unarmed, I fail to see the requirement for having an armed officer. Sure, they could carry one on general principles "just in case" but until I get the same option I have no problem with these guys checking their weapons along with the rest of us.

I am having a very difficult time understanding how a reasonably intelligent person can make that comment.

First, except for qualifications, etc. the vast majority of policeman seldom, if ever, unholster their sidearm during the course of their career.

Based on your comment about police on aircraft not carrying may I believe you might also suggest other police not be allowed to carry since you would also fail to see the requirement for them to carry?

Secondly, back in around 1982 a buddy of mine pulled an extridiction case out of Chicago and when they got in the heavy passenger terminals of O'Hare this felon (who are not transported with leg irons and only handcuffs and belly chain) took off.

(BTW..there used to be, and probably still are, some airlines that require the escorting Officers remove the hardware before they board).

Danny, and his partner on that trip, chased him a deal of distance unable to alert airport police or security. They ended up on some tar mac on a lower level at which time Danny was able to apprehend him by...guess what..drawing the unnecessary weapon.

Had Danny not had the weapon the prisoner might not have gave up his flight and God only knows what his despiration might have led him to eventually do.

Third, I think your comment was basedin part, on frustration that, as a private citizen, you cannot carry aboard an aircraft.

Perhaps if you want the ability to carry aboard an public aircraft you might look at 12+ week academy.

 

[c_yeager]

Third, I think your comment was basedin part, on frustration that, as a private citizen, you cannot carry aboard an aircraft.

Impressive perception considering that is exactly what I said.

Had Danny not had the weapon the prisoner might not have gave up his flight and God only knows what his despiration might have led him to eventually do.

Yeah, good thing all the private citizens were unarmed lest the be able to defend themselves from felons fleeing from officers that are apparently unable to controll their handcuffed prisoners.

Really, if you want to use anecdotes to defend your position perhaps you should read the article that started this thread.

Based on your comment about police on aircraft not carrying may I believe you might also suggest other police not be allowed to carry since you would also fail to see the requirement for them to carry?

If an officer is working in an area in which private citizens are not allowed to carry weapons then YES i do think they should be unarmed as well.

Perhaps if you want the ability to carry aboard an public aircraft you might look at 12+ week academy.

Now thats what I call a well reasoned argument. i dont feel like violating Godwin's Law at this point but some amusing analogies could be made.

 

[Geno]

Same in Michigan

There is a cop about in the metro Detroit area, who has lost his service pistol TWICE!

In the first incident, he left his pistol on the seat, in the car, door open. Bad guy enters stage left, steals gun...gun gone. Cop not punished?

In the second incident, he left his NEW, REPLACEMENT pistol on top of the candy machine; he then walked off, leaving it there for any child who might also want some candy. In this case the pistol was found by a good guy and returned to the dpartment, which returned it to the cop?!?!?!?!

Why in the world would someone remove their sidearm at the candy machine? Did Mr. Peanut resist arrest?

People who engage in this degree of negligence have to be dealt with. :banghead:

Doc2005

 

[MarkDido]

I'm surprised I didn't see either a Kerry or Gore bumper sticker on mom's mini-van.......

 

[f4t9r]

we have had a few of these threads lately.
the people we rely on to carry guns leave them laying around.
Sounds like they need to add a class on how to keep up with your gun

 

[Bigreno]

If an officer is working in an area in which private citizens are not allowed to carry weapons then YES i do think they should be unarmed as well.

I can't wrap my mind around this statement.

If I am being assaulted by a thung who has a knife to my throat I don't think hearing a LEO say, "Stop! or I'll stab you with my ballpoint pen!" is gonna install much confidence in the situation. Just because I haven't conviced the socialists that I need a gun in that location doesn't mean that there should be a complete lack of security.

 

[Powderman]

And I predict...

that this thread will descend into full bore cop bashing within the next 10 posts.

 

[c_yeager]

If I am being assaulted by a thung who has a knife to my throat I don't think hearing a LEO say, "Stop! or I'll stab you with my ballpoint pen!" is gonna install much confidence in the situation. Just because I haven't conviced the socialists that I need a gun in that location doesn't mean that there should be a complete lack of security.

Now tell me what are the chances of there just happening to be a cop standing right there when your getting assaulted by some thung? Frankly, I dont think its going to matter too much if the cop who draws the chalk outline around your body is carrying a gun or not.

 

[TallPine]

First, except for qualifications, etc. the vast majority of policeman seldom, if ever, unholster their sidearm during the course of their career.

Except for going to the bathroom, obviously ....

 

[Powderman]

First, except for qualifications, etc. the vast majority of policeman seldom, if ever, unholster their sidearm during the course of their career.


Here, I must disagree. It used to be that way, I know--but not any more.

I usually end up drawing my sidearm on an average of once every second or third shift. The situations where we are required to do so--both by department regulation and safety concerns--are far more than they were a while back.

Building searches, felony stops, furtive movements, arrest of violent felons--trust me, guns come out a LOT more than they did before.

 

[GRB]

OK so we all know by now that C Yeager thinks cops should not be armed if he cannot be armed; now how about getting back to this thread.

It is not all that amazing that this cop left a handgun in the crapper. While in the crapper is about the only time during the course of a workday when I remove mine from its holster. No I am not one of those who have never used it at work and I do not mean just at the range but thank goodness I have not had to draw it more than the few times nor fire it in self defense more than a couple or few times in the course of my 26 year career. I do tend to keep it on my person at all times whenever feasible though. This includes while sitting at my desk doing reports, while going to lunch, while in my GOV, and in general at all times. The few exceptions are when in the gym and when in the crapper. The few times in 26 years that I have ever left it laying anywhere unattended were in the crapper or at home and, once in a hotel safe deposit box. Twice, maybe three times, I went to work without it in the holster. Imagine that - you get half way to work and all of a sudden get this flash of a real bad feeling that you are light on one side. I actually got to work once without it. I know at least a half dozen others who will admit to this having happened and suspect many, many others who will not admit to it even though it has happened to them. I have also left it in the crapper two times, I think.

Leaving it home was a bad feeling but, it was secure. It happens sometimes when you are running late, feeling out of it a bit or whatever. Leaving it in the hotel safe deposit box was a brain fart when in a hurry to get on the road, but it was secure until I got back after driving about 60 miles out of my way to go back. Leaving it in the crapper was inexcusable but it happens too. That was the scariest place to forget a firearm for me because I knew anyone could have access to it. The one time I left it there it was for about a second or two if I remember right. I realized I had just walked away from it, turned around and got it. The other time I left it on the joy roll holder and went back into my office. This was in a federal building in a crapper without general access to the public but, it could just as easily have been a public restroom. I realized my goof about 15 or 20 minutes later. I ran back to the restroom and checked the crapper. There was ample evidence of someone more messy than me having used the same stall after I had forgotten my pistol there but, the pistol was still there right where I had left it. A good feeling that it was found yet, I can tell you I have never forgotten it again anywhere after that one.

Going to the stall creates a sort of dilemma for an armed person - officer or civilian. Where do you leave your pistol(s) when you are sitting on the throne? Think about it. There are few options. You can leave it in the holster and, if it is a shoulder rig this may be ok. If it is on the ankle or on the belt it is easy to grab for the thief of convenience. The joy roll holder, if secure with a wide enough flat top may be a good choice. The thing is you have to remember to turn around and check before you leave - something many just don't do in the crapper as they would when getting up from a seat on the bus. Another place to put the pistol is on the coat hook on the crapper door. I did this once or twice then had a guy try to get into the stall I was using (I am still hopeful he just did not know it was occupied at the time) by grabbing the top corner of the door and pushing. Yes you guessed it, his fingers just touched my pistol on the hook. I jumped up to grab the gun but he had already let go and was frantically trying to get into the next stall, in a moment I heard why. Yet another place to keep it while you are in the stall is in your pants - cradled in your undies (if you wear undies) but, then again the gun is basically on or near the floor. If you forget it there and yank up your pants quickly you could have a pistol/private parts collision and that could be disastrous. Of course, it just could fall to the floor and possibly go out of the stall skidding across the wet tiles. Some say to hold it in your weak hand as you go (that would be your non-wiping hand in this situation). I prefer not to do so as the concentrated muscular effort to do the deed at hand can sometimes cause the finger muscles to contract. As my eyes may be closed at that moment (squinting may be the more appropriate term) and my mind may not be on the pistol, I could accidentally squeeze one off due to sympathetic muscle reaction as I pinch one out. Laugh all you want but this is serious stuff; I am not about to shoot myself while in the crapper.

So where does this leave as a good place for your pistol while in the crapper. Well it makes me think of an old adage told to me by my mom - make before you leave home. While that may be fine if you eat three regular meals a day and if you are regular in your habits, it does not often work for an officer (or anyone) who is on the move, in a hurry and who eats at fast food places (or who eats airline slop). It winds up that wherever you wind up putting it while in the John, you have to check and double check as you leave to make sure you have not forgotten it. While checking for your pistol, you may also want to check to see if you got rid of something else with the first flush and if not please flush again because I don’t need to be accosted by the sight or aroma of what you left behind as I search for my forgotten pistol. Thanks...

 

[Lupinus]

"Personally I don't think that officers with guns should be transporting prisoners on flights that the rest of us are flying on," said Mills.

Easy now. This is not the movies where some vast conspiracy has been set up in which the criminal will pick the locks of his cuffs and ankle chains with a secretly hidden pin in his seat cushion that's been poking his ass the entire trip. And will then magically get one of the officers guns and shoot the plain down!

But yeah they get to keep the guns we mere mortals aren't allowed to have and I'd rather have one or two cops armed on my flight then no one. Five guys with box cutters vs a few with guns are decent enough odds in my book...though five guys with box cutters vs half the passengers armed would be better odds

 

[JJohnston015]

I usually end up drawing my sidearm on an average of once every second or third shift. The situations where we are required to do so--both by department regulation and safety concerns--are far more than they were a while back.

Or it could just be that you've got Cartman Syndrome, and are much more inclined to go to the gun as a first resort, as a display of authority, rather than in the self defense you'd probably claim as justification.

 

[Powderman]

Or it could just be that you've got Cartman Syndrome, and are much more inclined to go to the gun as a first resort, as a display of authority, rather than in the self defense you'd probably claim as justification.

Wow! And the first bash goes to DJJ! Outstanding!

 

[c_yeager]

Wow! And the first bash goes to DJJ! Outstanding!

Don't feed the trolls

 

[JJohnston015]

I think Tall Pine was actually first, but in response I simply say: prove me wrong.

 

[c_yeager]

I think Tall Pine was actually first, but in response I simply say: prove me wrong.

The moment that you say something worth reading more than once is the moment when someone might just take the time to refute it, till then your just talking to yourself.

The point here isnt that cops should be carrying guns on planes (it goes without saying that they shouldnt be left in the restroom) it is that they shouldnt me the only ones who are carrying on airplanes.