Security official tries to take loaded gun on flight
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque airport officials say the second-in-command of New Mexico's domestic security agency was caught trying to bring a loaded gun through a security checkpoint.
State Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Anita Tallarico told Albuquerque Sunport police that she forgot to leave the weapon at home when TSA agents spotted it in her purse in a scanner Friday.
KOB-TV reports Tallarico told TSA officials she was distraught because she was going to a funeral. She was cited for unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.
Airport police chief Marshall Katz says he's not sure how a person of Tallarico's position could make such a slip-up, but added that it happens frequently nationwide.
Tallarico's gun was turned over to city police as evidence.
State Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Anita Tallarico told Albuquerque Sunport police that she forgot to leave the weapon at home when TSA agents spotted it in her purse in a scanner Friday.
KOB-TV reports Tallarico told TSA officials she was distraught because she was going to a funeral. She was cited for unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.
Airport police chief Marshall Katz says he's not sure how a person of Tallarico's position could make such a slip-up, but added that it happens frequently nationwide.
Tallarico's gun was turned over to city police as evidence.
âAirport police chief Marshall Katz says he's not sure how a person of Tallarico's position could make such a slip-up, but added that it happens frequently nationwide.â
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It is simple. You are carrying a concealed pistol virtually every waking moment. It is part of getting dressed in the morning. You are also human. It is the reason cars have a sea tbelt warning buzzer. Once in a while we all forget something important. That is why â¦âbut added that it happens frequently nationwide.â Actually, as long as she had a legal right to carry, they should have put it in a lock box where she could pick it up on her way back. There was no harm intended or done here.  Â
For christ sake, are they frackin serious! TSA is full of arogant morons, none to which posses adequate education. They pick these morons right off the streets! What a waste of tax payer funds! Confirm her title, Hold firearm for safe keeping, return it once she returns. People make mistakes, People!
@Shadow Doubt the TSA were just doing what they are supposed to be doing... making sure no weapons get on board planes, where passengers can access them.
I do agree, that when a person does forget they are carrying,.. and TSA finds the weapon, as they are supposed to, they comfiscate the firearm, and tell the person they can pick the firearm up from the local police department,.. They should be cited, so they can explain what was going on. Then let a judge decide whether or not there was criminal intent. (not a violation of law, but criminal intent)
 @Shadow Doubt This is the TSA's fault for spotting the loaded weapon and confiscating it?Â
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LOL?Â
I really don't see any harm here...in case of a hijacking, she could could cap someone's ass.
Too bad I don't live in New Mexico, I'd feel so much safer right about now.
And yet the gun-control supporters will STILL call for registration and training requirement for handgun ownership, and NOT demand new restrictions ALSO apply to any sort of law enforcement personnel, because THEY are all trained and professional, don't'ch'a know, unlike the average Joe-on-the-street.?
Oh that gun!
She shouldn't get special treatment because of who she works for. She wasn't on official business so she should get treated as any other citizen would, because that is exactly what she is in this instance... just a citizen.
 @Tattooed_Angel An off duty homeland security agent is not exactly just another citizen.
No, they aren't, they know full well what the laws are, and they should be following them to a "T"..Â
What needs to happen, is an examination of the facts in any incident like this, do determine if there is criminal intent. When there is criminal intent, throw the unabridged book at them...
When there isn't criminal intent, return their firearm to them after they pay the court costs, or 500.00 whichever is more..
 @Mr. H Your welcome to your own opinion, even if it is wrong.
For myself.... forgetting where my second safety is.... isn't an option..... alas... to error is human.
 @Funky-Munky I've done it going to Canada, just spaced out and wasn't thinking about it because I am so conditioned to having my firearm with me or in my vehicle.  I mistakingly took it over twice, luckily never got caught.  I have also dropped it off at my aunt's house in Lynden a couple times before I got to the border, she's happens to be a border patrol agent.
 @oledawg my thoughts are... treat it like a child's life depends on it... it helps you remember better....
@oledawg @Funky-Munky I know the exact feeling. My XDM .40 is like my wallet or my watch. I just never leave home without it.
 @Funky-Munky It's not that I forget where the firearm is, I just forget to leave it home when I head out, it's always locked in my glove box or on my hip.
This whole thing is ridiculous.
1. "was caught trying to bring a loaded gun through a security checkpoint."Â This implies she knew she had the firearm and was trying to sneak it on, which appears not to be the case.
2. She is a security official that frankly having her armed on the plane probably made the flight safer as she would in effect just be an unpaid flight marshal (not exactly but better than nothing).
3. "She was cited for unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon."Â Kind of a funny charge given the circumstances.
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This is blown way out of proportion.
 @SeattleJoe So if I had a CCW permit and attempted to get on a plane because I had a funeral to go to it would Ok? I don't think so. She should be treated as any other individual would be treated.
 @Stock Woodie As smashquail said, "Are you a Security Agent?" If so then yes I would have no problem with that. Its hard to believe that we treat people as qualified and ok to have their weapon when they are on the clock. What is it about being off the clock that makes them unsafe or otherwise not allowed to carry a weapon?Â
 @Mr. H Intent is exactly the issue at hand here. The problem is there are many anti-gunners that assume that if you own or like firearms that your intent is automatically one where you are just itching to blow someone away.
At the same time,... I have passed the background checks so I can carry concealed..and go everywhere armed..
The issue is criminal intent... SW, and this agent, would not have any criminal intent... the action should be to disarm them, let them travel, but cite them so they can explain the situation to a judge, and let them decide to let them pay court costs, or throw them in jail.
If we follow the law to the letter, we all will violate some sort of law at some point in time.. what needs to be considered, is intent.
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@Stock Woodie @SeattleJoe Are you a Homeland Security agent?
AS a law iforcment officer she did know better. As a human dealling with grief and the complacancy of caairing daily this is an easy misstake. Put her on adminastative leave to deal with the personal stuff. After a little bit when she can get her head on straight give the gun back and let her back on the job. People deal with grief very different and if this was just a misstake all must remember we all make them. If some one had been hurt the whole game would change. At this point no harm no real foul...
Spell check is your friend........
Book her Dan-O!