Air Marshal Leaves Gun in Airport Restroom

Shaun · 04-12-2004, 05:03 PM

Air Marshal Leaves Gun in Airport Restroom Apr 12, 10:34 am ET CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal air marshal accidentally left her gun in a restroom beyond the security checkpoints at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, officials say. The weapon was discovered by a passenger who alerted an airline employee. The marshal remained on the job after Thursday's incident when she visited an airport restroom and inadvertently left her gun behind, Dave Adams, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshal Service in Washington, said Saturday. The restroom was beyond security checkpoints, airport spokeswoman Pat Smith said. So the risk was that someone could have discovered the gun and taken it on a flight. "Right now we're still doing the investigation," Adams said. "It will determine what disciplinary action will be appropriate." He declined to identify the marshal for security reasons, but said her work in the past had been "outstanding." The United States deploys armed air marshals disguised as passengers on thousands of flights each week as part of security measures implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked airliner attacks that killed about 3,000 people. Smith said the incident occurred about 4 p.m. on Thursday when the air marshal went to the restroom. While washing her hands, she placed her gun on a shelf, but forgot to take it with her when she left the room. Soon afterward, a passenger found the gun and informed an airline employee, who removed it and told police. The gun later was returned to the marshal.

Big Dog · 04-12-2004, 05:37 PM

She must've had a "blonde moment" . . .

Actually, I can easily believe this.
On board ship, we had one young squid on Roving Patrol leave his entire gunbelt - with Colt 1911A1 - in the head. He shows up to check in on the quarterdeck, and the watch officer asks him "where's your gun?"

Another Rover was practicing his quick draw - and lost the pistol over the side - SPLASH! A deckape with a magnet recovered it, luckily.
Another Rover shows up at his station during a security alert with his pistol literally in pieces in his holster - he was practicing stripping it.

Sadly, some folks just shouldn't have guns.

Shaun · 04-12-2004, 05:47 PM

The problem I have with this case is that any lic. CCW holder would not have done that and they would have shown a higher level of responsibility -- TSA is the biggest joke right now in terms of Public Safety

MAX7.62 · 04-12-2004, 10:46 PM

Exactly what Shaun said! If she has no more basic control over her weapon when she's in the head, how exactly is she going to react and perform if the SHTF during a flight?

toolman · 04-12-2004, 11:59 PM

Yeah, and they act like WE aren't trustworthy!

04-12-2004, 05:03 PM	#1
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,599 Images: 1	Air Marshal Leaves Gun in Airport Restroom Air Marshal Leaves Gun in Airport Restroom Apr 12, 10:34 am ET CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal air marshal accidentally left her gun in a restroom beyond the security checkpoints at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, officials say. The weapon was discovered by a passenger who alerted an airline employee. The marshal remained on the job after Thursday's incident when she visited an airport restroom and inadvertently left her gun behind, Dave Adams, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshal Service in Washington, said Saturday. The restroom was beyond security checkpoints, airport spokeswoman Pat Smith said. So the risk was that someone could have discovered the gun and taken it on a flight. "Right now we're still doing the investigation," Adams said. "It will determine what disciplinary action will be appropriate." He declined to identify the marshal for security reasons, but said her work in the past had been "outstanding." The United States deploys armed air marshals disguised as passengers on thousands of flights each week as part of security measures implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked airliner attacks that killed about 3,000 people. Smith said the incident occurred about 4 p.m. on Thursday when the air marshal went to the restroom. While washing her hands, she placed her gun on a shelf, but forgot to take it with her when she left the room. Soon afterward, a passenger found the gun and informed an airline employee, who removed it and told police. The gun later was returned to the marshal. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

04-12-2004, 05:37 PM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,361	She must've had a "blonde moment" . . . Actually, I can easily believe this. On board ship, we had one young squid on Roving Patrol leave his entire gunbelt - with Colt 1911A1 - in the head. He shows up to check in on the quarterdeck, and the watch officer asks him "where's your gun?" Another Rover was practicing his quick draw - and lost the pistol over the side - SPLASH! A deckape with a magnet recovered it, luckily. Another Rover shows up at his station during a security alert with his pistol literally in pieces in his holster - he was practicing stripping it. Sadly, some folks just shouldn't have guns. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-12-2004, 05:47 PM	#3
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,599 Images: 1	The problem I have with this case is that any lic. CCW holder would not have done that and they would have shown a higher level of responsibility -- TSA is the biggest joke right now in terms of Public Safety __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

04-12-2004, 10:46 PM	#4
MAX7.62 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Classified Posts: 934	Exactly what Shaun said! If she has no more basic control over her weapon when she's in the head, how exactly is she going to react and perform if the SHTF during a flight? __________________ The Second Amendment, it ain't about DUCK HUNTING! I feel more like I do now that I did when I first got here!

04-12-2004, 11:59 PM	#5
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,807 Blog Entries: 24	Yeah, and they act like WE aren't trustworthy! __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!