Passenger's weapon accidentally discharged at the Atlanta airport, causing panic and halting flight
Source: CNN
The accidental discharge of a passenger's weapon in a security area of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport caused widespread panic Saturday afternoon, prompting a brief halt of departing flights over the busy travel weekend.
The passenger was going through the screening process around 1:30 p.m. when "somebody recognized that there was a weapon in the bag," airport spokesperson Andrew Gobeil told CNN's Jim Acosta.
"When either the officer went in or when the passenger went in to get it, it accidentally discharged," Gobeil said, and the loud noise created a "sense of chaos."
According to Gobeil, after the gun went off, the passenger "took off and was able to make it outside of the airport."
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/20/us/atlanta-airport-scare/index.html
Sneederbunk
(14,275 posts)Traildogbob
(8,670 posts)Self defense. Its perfectly legal.
japple
(9,805 posts)Pas-de-Calais
(9,901 posts)Who bought the ticket.
Track him down
maxsolomon
(33,232 posts)The more guns, the more idiots with guns, the more idiotic gun incidents. It's statistics.
Stochastic terror everywhere masquerading as Freedom.
iluvtennis
(19,825 posts)checked baggage.
Transporting Firearms and Ammunition
You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter.
Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint. You may find information on civil penalties at the Civil Enforcement page.
Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Fine is:
$3,000 - $10,000 + criminal referral / $10,000 - $13,910 + criminal referral (repeat violation)
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
=====
This person should recieve maximum penalty - criminal referral and $13,910 fine.
ShazzieB
(16,265 posts)No one with half a brain would try to get through a TSA checkpoint with a loaded gun in their freaking bag! The idea is ludicrous.
The TSA spotted the gun, which means the system was working correctly up to that point. The half-brained idiot gun owner tried to grab it when the TSA agent was attempting to remove it from the bag, and it went off (or the idiot fired it it off, we don't know at this point), giving the idiot a chance to escape in the confusion.
I'm sure he'll be tracked down soon. If he had a plane ticket, that means there was a record of his identity, so it's just a matter of time. He's obviously too stupid to be able to hide out effectively for very long.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,558 posts)msfiddlestix
(7,270 posts)maybe it was a dry run? maybe it was an "undercover" testing security?
Oh wait! I think I know. It was one of Tucker Carlson's crew running a phony "sting" operation for a bogus story against Biden's administration. ?? (wouldn't put it past Carlson)
But seriously, good question. How in the hell did he think he could get through security?
e
VGNonly
(7,480 posts)accidental shooting, happens all the time,...chill.
raccoon
(31,105 posts)iluvtennis
(19,825 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,944 posts)tweesers , scissors and pocket knives for how long and these so and sos get to bring on their fricken guns on a ac? i watched a pilot do a walk around of his ac on youtube and found a bullet hole had punctured the acs skin right where the pilot would have been sitting. he found the bullet in his chair. id hate to see an idiot " oopsies " fire his gun in the cabin of a ac and puncture the fuselage or shatter a window with forcible decompression ot the cabin in flight .makes me shivver .
ShazzieB
(16,265 posts)The bag was scanned, and the TSA saw there was a gun there. They went for the suitcase to take it out.
The asshole escaped and will probably be tracked down via his ticket. NO ONE is saying he would have been allowed to get on the plane with a loaded gun in his carry on bag.
rickford66
(5,521 posts)If turned a certain way, it wouldn't look like a gun. I was trying to work for TSA and passed the scanning tests. It was hard to find something even when you were told it was there. Common objects rarely show up exactly as common objects.
louis-t
(23,266 posts)paintbrush in my carry on. I was helping a friend paint her condo. Brought my special brush. It got flagged. The guy wouldn't let me reach into the bag. I told him what it was. He agreed.
rickford66
(5,521 posts)It could have been my long hair, beard and dark Italian skin, but who knows.
sarisataka
(18,472 posts)I was chosen for a random search. The TSA person then asked if I was military traveling on orders, which fairly obviously I was.
He then says I can be excused and they pick the next in line which was a young Hispanic couple with four children ranging from about 5 to a baby in arms. I told him they don't look like terrorists so I will go through the extra search. Their look of gratitude still warms me years later.
iluvtennis
(19,825 posts)KentuckyWoman
(6,679 posts)Nothing else, just the lipstick. I said then and I still say the TSA agent liked it and just used her position to take it.
orangecrush
(19,384 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,939 posts)ShazzieB
(16,265 posts)The laws of the state of Wisconsin regarding self-defense with a firearm are ridiculous and gave Rottenhouse a get out of jail free card, but this incident will be covered by federal law, which is a completely different animal.
Just because one knucklehead literally got away with murder due to badly written state laws, doesn't mean every case in this country regarding a gun is going to turn out the same way from now on.
Now, go get some water and pour it on your head to put out that 🔥 in your hair!
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,939 posts)melm00se
(4,984 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,939 posts)... as to getting Federal charges.
There was some discussion about Rittenhouse getting Federal charges after his acquittal, and I was thinking of that scenario.
melm00se
(4,984 posts)I think that the only charges that would survive an appeal would be a civil rights charge but that would be a significant hill to climb as none of the victims appear to be part of a protected class.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,939 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,939 posts)ShazzieB
(16,265 posts)Devil Child
(2,728 posts)No, he will face time.
paleotn
(17,876 posts)Bad enough having a gun in your bag going through TSA, but a gun with one in the pipe? What?! What the fucking hell is wrong with these people.
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)Seems like that's what much of the violence on planes has been about, maybe this knucklehead thought he or she would enter into the situation prepared to defend themselves against the unarmed fight attendants enforcing mask wearing.
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)Yeah I'm feeling safe to fly here.... TSA states they can't keep up with the number of weapons. Great. So we do what Archie Bunker proposed in 1970. Let everybody pack heat. Is that where we are going? Take your shoes off though. Flying has sucked since 9-11 for law-abiders, that is for sure. And yet domestic "gun-owners" seem to feel entitled to sneak their weapons aboard.
ShazzieB
(16,265 posts)The gun was caught by the x-ray scan, which is exactly what is supposed to happen.
Things went off track after that, but I'm sure they'll track him down before long. He had a plane ticket, which means they have a record of his identity. He won't be able to hide forever.
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)And it happens a lot according to TSA.
oldsoftie
(12,486 posts)You have a bag you carry with you every day & you also carry a weapon. Its second nature. You take a flight and you take the bag you always carry & forget to take the gun out. You realize it too late. I know a couple people this has almost happened to; they've told me "I was getting my bags & remembered I still had the gun!"
I have a license & reason to carry but my bag is too trashy to take on a plane!
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)hit my head hard enough to forget that. Sounds very irresponsible to the point a judge should take them away (defendant and gun(s).
oldsoftie
(12,486 posts)When I DO have it on my person, yes, you always know its there. But then you have to get used to it to the point that you dont constantly "touch" it. I'm referring to a concealed carry. I never open carry. I think open carry is for suckers & show offs & people trying to intimidate others.
And of course my examples are anecdotal too, but look where most of the guns are found. Areas where people are far more likely to have one. Still NO excuse.
KentuckyWoman
(6,679 posts)You can bet they'll be adding some barriers to make getting out of line once in it more difficult.
Calista241
(5,585 posts)Which is why he got away.
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)Calista241
(5,585 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,475 posts)...I worked in Atlanta for a bit over 2 years and flew there almost every week. As I remember ATL chechpoints the domestic terminal TSA is on ground level at end near the T concourse. The hard barriers are after the screening area to segregate the uncleared out of the secure gate spaces. At the point where a bag would be getting searched, this person would be beyond the body scanners and at the end of the carry-on clear/suspect conveyor. Any airport security and regular police staff would roving and generally not within arm's reach of any particular person. There are 3 TSA scanner locations there and both the central and South side checkpoints have few obstacles between the checkpoint and the S2 and S1 doors to the parking area.
The screener at the bag viewing station should be electronically tagging a bag with a firearm as "high threat" requiring the bag inspector to move it manually off the conveyor to the inspection area. It sounds to me like both the screener and inspector did their jobs and that the overall system prevented an armed person from gaining entry to secured area.
As far as the police rationale explanation, I suspect pursuits of all types frequently become dangerous both to LE and bystanders. Better to defuse that by not giving the individual a reason to begin shooting or engage in a high speed chase if he is or becomes mobile. That airport has numerous cameras and lots of video monitoring around the exits. Entering the checkpoint requires photo ID that is electronically checked and validated. Any such person will be recognized electronically and have warrants issued.
TSA is currently upgrading standard X-ray scanners to higher resolution CT based equipment.
ATL is a very busy airport and a hub for a major carrier. The city of Atlanta is very Democratic and part of a large metro area that includes some very red towns. Kennesaw in Cobb County IIRC still has a law on the books requiring homeowners to own a firearm. While the law has no prescribed punishments and isn't enforced, it does characterize the area. The local joke is that the highway through Cobb County has ONLY A FAR RIGHT LANE.
Air travel dangers are currently mostly from the virus. Armed aggressors are much lower as probable threats.
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)lane. Probably what Jesus would have wanted... So tired of faux xtains hiding behind guns and the flag. Take care out there.
discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,475 posts)I know parts of a few airports very well. ATL, DTW, GRR, BOS and LAX are rather familiar. PHL is my home airport and I know almost all of it very well except I haven't been in terminal E since Northwest became part of Delta.
I worked in Atlanta for 2 years and know a bit of the city and the airport. In the right places you can have food delivered till 2 or 3 AM.
I'm a non-faux Christian and I'm used to being lumped in with the fauxs (or foes as I see it.)
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Evolve Dammit
(16,694 posts)Lasher
(27,534 posts)Police are actively searching for Kenny Wells, 42, for accidentally firing his weapon at the Atlanta airport earlier Saturday afternoon.
The search comes after Wells was in the middle of the screening check points at the Main Security Gate, when somehow they recognized there was a weapon in the bag. When either the officer went in or the passenger went in to get it, it accidentally discharged, according to the Director of Communications.
https://www.cbs46.com/news/police-search-for-convicted-felon-responsible-for-accidental-gun-discharge-at-airport/article_59d18baa-4a34-11ec-9fb1-7bb49572b197.html
This is a great stand-alone thread.
Thanks for finding and posting this!
PSPS
(13,577 posts)oldsoftie
(12,486 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,563 posts)Something is really wrong with the idiots in this country. They will find the asshole and I hope he has to pay from his personal assets until every passenger going through the inconvenience and cost of missed flights, etc is reimbursed. If this takes his lifetime then good! Die broke and stupid. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Tom Yossarian Joad
(19,226 posts)"Last month, the agency reported catching 4,650 firearms -- a majority of them loaded -- at security checkpoints in the first 10 months of 2021. That number surpassed the full-year record of 4,432, set in 2019. "
When the fuck will our politicians stop cowering to the NRA and gun nuts and start passing meaningful legislation that would slow this kind of shit down?
IronLionZion
(45,380 posts)we can see how super safe we all are flying the friendly skies while people like me get felt up extra carefully despite having TSA precheck and global entry.
I'm aware that Kenny Wells is black. TSA screens for brown not black. They look for people who look like H-1bs rather than guns or knives or explosives. They don't know what Muslims look like so they go for brown. They're never going to catch a real terrorist. It's all just painfully outdated kabuki theater to give whites the illusion of safety.
PSPS
(13,577 posts)The incident happened around 1:30 p.m., and during the chaos, three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.
Authorities said a TSA officer identified a prohibited item via the X-Ray and proceeded with a bag search.APD said Wells grabbed the gun, it fired and he then ran off with the weapon. Officials said Wells is facing charges including the possession of an firearm of a convicted felon, discharge of a firearm by a convicted felon and reckless conduct.
So now we have another illegally-armed wanted felon on the run. What a country!
AverageOldGuy
(1,510 posts)After all, you never know when you might encounter a plane filled with anti-fa!!!!
ashredux
(2,598 posts)Is there anyone out there who does not know it is illegal to bring a firearm on to an airplane.?
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)twodogsbarking
(9,664 posts)taxi
(1,896 posts)Maybe the decisive nature of his chosen route home was though.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)twodogsbarking
(9,664 posts)llmart
(15,532 posts)and because more people are flying this year, we're going to read about more incidents of Americans doing stupid things. I feel for the airport workers and those working the flights.
KG
(28,751 posts)C Moon
(12,208 posts)mickbiden2
(2 posts)hello,
Thank you so much for sharing this helpful information, it helped me alot
Thanks and regards.
marble falls
(56,996 posts)FSogol
(45,435 posts)Sancho
(9,067 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
Response to peppertree (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
ancianita
(35,926 posts)The TSA said it seized 391 firearms at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in the first nine months of 2021.
That was up from 220 last year when passenger counts were down significantly because of the pandemic.
But it also was a big jump from 2019, when 323 firearms were seized in Atlanta.
Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the nations busiest airports, though other U.S. airports rival its passenger screening numbers.
Dallas Forth Worth International Airport was second on the TSAs list, with 232 firearms seized by Oct. 3.
2019 -- 4,432 airline passengers stopped from carrying firearms onto their flights
2021 -- 4,495 stopped, with a month left to count
The rate is up from 5 per million in 2019 to 11 per million in 2021.