A Delta Airlines mechanic was arrested at Miami International Airport on Friday afternoon after TSA agents allegedly found a gun inside his bag.
The 45-year old man is charged with carrying a concealed firearm. Carrying a concealed firearm is a third-degree felony in Florida punishable by up to 5 years in state prison.
In order to prove the charge, the State must show that you were in possession of a firearm and that you knew or should have known that the firearm was present. It is a defense to the charge to claim that you did not know the firearm was there.
Antique firearms, or those made prior to 1918, are exempt.
According to the police report, TSA agents found a semi-automatic pistol in his bag. A round was in the chamber and there was also a holster inside the bag. The accused allegedly told police that he did not know that the gun was inside the bag.
The accused is being held on a $5,000 bond, which is standard in these cases.
Penalties can range from diversion all the way to prison time in these matters. There is no mandatory sentence for this charge.