What Happens When Someone Possesses a Firearm at an Airport?
South Carolina values its citizens’ gun rights, but this doesn’t extend to allowing a free-for-all in airports throughout the state. South Carolina, like all other states, must abide by the rules and regulations set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and this means that travelers can’t have firearms on their person once they reach airport security. The penalties for doing so are harsh, and if you’ve been so charged, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced Greenville gun charge attorney.
TSA Weighs In
TSA reports that, as an airline passenger, you can travel with a firearm, but all the following must apply:
- The firearm is secured in your checked baggage.
- The firearm is unloaded.
- The firearm is locked in a hard-sided case.
- You declare the firearm to the airline when you check the bag at the counter.
It is against the law to have a firearm in any of the following areas of an airport – regardless of your carry status in South Carolina:
- Security checkpoints
- The secured areas in airports
- The passenger cabin of an aircraft
When a passenger is found in violation of TSA’s requirements, TSA imposes fines, and South Carolina law enforcement is called in to address the legalities of the situation, which can lead to criminal charges.
The Charge of Criminal Trespass
If you’re charged with carrying a firearm through airport security in South Carolina, it’s considered criminal trespass. If convicted, you can face up to 30 days in jail along with fines of up to $200, and if the charge isn’t your first or there are aggravating factors, the penalties can be considerably harsher.
The social consequences of a conviction are also important to consider, and – because criminal records are a matter of public information – they can include all the following:
- A tarnished reputation
- Difficulty renting a place to live or gaining approval for a mortgage
- Difficult finding a new job or even keeping the one that you’ve got
- Fewer opportunities in relation to higher education
- Negative consequences in relation to any professional licensure you may hold
If you’re facing a gun charge of any kind, the stakes are high, and the time to consult with a practiced gun charge defense attorney has arrived.
An Experienced Greenville Criminal Defense Attorney Is on Your Side
If you’ve been charged with a crime that relates to carrying a gun in an airport, you need skilled legal counsel backing you up, and the resourceful Greenville, SC, gun charge attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law recognize how challenging your situation is. Fortunately, our savvy legal team has the experience, resources, and legal insight to skillfully champion your rights in our quest for your case’s best possible conclusion. Your future is too important to leave to chance, so please reach out and contact us online or call 864-679-7777 for more information about what we can do to help you today.
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