Dwight Howard: gun in carry-on bag

[tjr42px]

espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13566718/dwight-howard-houston-rockets-detained-airport-gun-carry-bag

Really? So he has an associate with him to give the gun to. Where was this associate when he was packing his bag? Seriously though "this isn't unusual?" People packing guns in carry on bags isn't uncommon? That's not an "oh my bad. I accidentally packed my glock by mistake." Or "damn this is my range bag and I happened to leave my Sig in there by accident" kind of thing. You can't bring a bottle of water through security and yet it's not uncommon to try to bring a handgun?

What were you thinking Dwight? What is TSA thinking if 77 guns a year just in Houston alone are found and there is rarely anything done about it.

[tjr42px]

On a semi-related note. I just finished reading "Redeployed." It's a collection of deployment related stories and the transition back home. One account (pre 9/11) commented how this marine unit was flying home on a commercial flight. All had their rifles standing between their legs, but had to remove their bayonets because knives weren't allowed on planes. 30+ people with rifles (unloaded, but still) on a flight seems insane these days.

[Deleted]

If Mr. Howard usually conceal carries his handgun, he may have forgotten it was in the bag.
I have this problem with pocket knives, even at the airport. I don't empty out my purse before I go to the airport, so I've usually got a couple things in there that make me need to empty it out AT the airport.
I don't own a handgun though, so I've never had that particular problem.

[tjr42px]

True, not sure on Texas laws, but conceal is often concealed on your person since if it isn't on your person you aren't in control of it. To forget in a bag means you should know you put it there. I would have more understanding if you always have it on you and you forgot to remove it, but you are still in control of it, like your knives.

I can see a knife in a pocket, but I feel if we authorize a person to carry a fire arm, part of that authorization should include judgement/awareness about its location.

If he left it in a bag in his home and his kid got a hold of it, I think many would have a problem. If you forget it's in your bag who is to say you don't forget to leave it out in the open?

Part of my job includes authorizing a person's ability to carry a weapon for their employment. I wouldn't automatically suspend his ability to carry for this, but I'd have plenty of follow up questions. Was it trigger locked? What is the typical protocol for storage? What went wrong this time? He was detained and it sounds like it was handle appropriately, but you should know where your weapon is at all times. Firearm safety 101.