Knimrod
11-16-2005, 11:14 PM
Holiday Travelers: Leave Gun at Home
11/16/2005
WZZM13 Grand Rapids
http://www.wzzm13.com/assetpool/images/04112315046_airport2.jpgCascade Township - The holiday travel season is quickly approaching. A record number of air travelers could pass through Grand Rapids this Thanksgiving. The number of travelers at Ford International Airport could go up 15 to 20 percent this holiday season, compared to a normal day. More people mean more time, and more security.
Christine Mitchell and her relatives are leaving snowy Grand Rapids for a family trip. She says, “We're going to Las Vegas, Nevada." The family travels together two or three times a year, so they know to arrive early, and bring playing cards to pass the time.
Bruce Schedlbauer of Ford International Airport says it's especially important to plan ahead when you travel over the holidays. He says, “Limit the number of carry on bags. Airplanes are going to be jam packed full. Overhead bin space is going to be at a premium."
That's not all you should keep in mind if you're flying this Thanksgiving. Christine Mitchell tells travelers, “Don't put any firearms in your luggage, they frown on that."
You might be surprised how many people do try to carry a gun onto a plane. Ten people were caught in Michigan so far this year, two in Grand Rapids. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Margaret Chiara says, “What we're talking about here are not dangerous felons who are in possession of a gun. These are otherwise law abiding citizens. Of course, their claim, as you all would expect, is it is inadvertent, completely unintentional."
But, it doesn't matter if it's an accident. Transportation Security Administration Federal Security Director John Mumma says, “To be very frank about it, we don't care how the weapon got there. If you're the traveler, the weapon is in your bag, you're at my checkpoint, you're at fault."
Even if it's an accident, your punishment could be a fine of $3,000 or more, probation, and losing your conceal carry permit.
TSA officials also remind travelers this holiday season to leave lighters at home, don't carry on a knife, and leave packages unwrapped.
Link to story (http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46903)
11/16/2005
WZZM13 Grand Rapids
http://www.wzzm13.com/assetpool/images/04112315046_airport2.jpgCascade Township - The holiday travel season is quickly approaching. A record number of air travelers could pass through Grand Rapids this Thanksgiving. The number of travelers at Ford International Airport could go up 15 to 20 percent this holiday season, compared to a normal day. More people mean more time, and more security.
Christine Mitchell and her relatives are leaving snowy Grand Rapids for a family trip. She says, “We're going to Las Vegas, Nevada." The family travels together two or three times a year, so they know to arrive early, and bring playing cards to pass the time.
Bruce Schedlbauer of Ford International Airport says it's especially important to plan ahead when you travel over the holidays. He says, “Limit the number of carry on bags. Airplanes are going to be jam packed full. Overhead bin space is going to be at a premium."
That's not all you should keep in mind if you're flying this Thanksgiving. Christine Mitchell tells travelers, “Don't put any firearms in your luggage, they frown on that."
You might be surprised how many people do try to carry a gun onto a plane. Ten people were caught in Michigan so far this year, two in Grand Rapids. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Margaret Chiara says, “What we're talking about here are not dangerous felons who are in possession of a gun. These are otherwise law abiding citizens. Of course, their claim, as you all would expect, is it is inadvertent, completely unintentional."
But, it doesn't matter if it's an accident. Transportation Security Administration Federal Security Director John Mumma says, “To be very frank about it, we don't care how the weapon got there. If you're the traveler, the weapon is in your bag, you're at my checkpoint, you're at fault."
Even if it's an accident, your punishment could be a fine of $3,000 or more, probation, and losing your conceal carry permit.
TSA officials also remind travelers this holiday season to leave lighters at home, don't carry on a knife, and leave packages unwrapped.
Link to story (http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46903)