Rep. Madison Cawthorn attempted to board a plane with a gun

• Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn attempted to board a plane while carrying a gun in February.
• Newly obtained records show that the North Carolina Cawthorn was not fined or criminalized.
• Typically, similar incidents would result in a fine of between $ 3,000 and $ 10,000.

Representative Madison Cawthorn attempted to board a plane while carrying a gun in February, according to newly obtained records.

The incident came to light after FireMadison.com, a campaign to topple the Republican congressman, obtained audio recordings and tapes of the incident from the Asheville Regional Airport Authority.

Records revealed that Cawthorn was attempting to board a plane in Asheville, NC on February 15 when airport security found an unloaded Glock 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine in his handbag.

After finding the gun, airport police questioned Cawthorn, secured the gun, and made a report. Cawthorn has not been charged with a felony or fined.

Cawthorn was cleared to pick up the weapon on February 22 after returning from his trip.

David B. Wheeler, president of FireMadison.com, said in a statement that the incident was “a serious violation of the law” and asked why Cawthorn was not arrested or fined.

“If you or I brought a loaded gun to the airport, we would be arrested, fined $ 10,000 and ended up in front of a judge.
to answer for our illegal activities, ”he said.

Usually having a loaded firearm or an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition at an airport checkpoint or on a plane results in a fine of $ 3,000 to $ 10,000 and criminal discharge.

TSA spokesman Mark Howell told the Citizen Times that in almost all cases those who improperly transport firearms face federal civil fines and an elected official should not be excluded from the potential sanction. .

He told the newspaper that Cawthorn’s case from February was “still pending” and declined to comment.

Cawthorn spokesman Micah Bock said the congressman “mistakenly” stowed the gun in his hand luggage instead of his checked bag.

“The firearm was secure and chamberless. Representative Cawthorn strives to always follow TSA guidelines and promptly rectified this situation before boarding his flight,” Bock said.

The 25-year-old congressman from North Carolina has gained a reputation for making controversial statements, including that Dr Fauci should be prosecuted and that vaccination efforts could result in the confiscation of guns and people’s Bibles.