Prosecutor won't pursue case against lawmaker with gun

[onerifle]

Interesting disposition...

Prosecutor won't pursue case against lawmaker with gun at airport

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=3625616

(11/10/05 - EDINBURG, TX) - Prosecutors will not pursue a case against state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa for bringing a loaded handgun through airport security last month.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra said Thursday that he would also drop the several other cases pending against people found bringing weapons through airport X-ray machines.

"After analyzing this case we have no choice but to decline the case," Guerra said. "There's no culpable mental state, and that is required. Under criminal law, there's no way you can legally charge them absent other evidence of criminal intent. ... I don't know that any person with a sound mind would think that a person would try to sneak a gun through an X-ray machine."

McAllen police said they were disappointed when a city judge threw out their charge against Hinojosa, who was found with a 9 mm handgun in his briefcase as he passed through security at Miller International Airport on Oct. 10.

Police Chief Victor Rodriguez at the time said the case would still be brought before the district attorney.

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment late Thursday afternoon.

Hinojosa, D-McAllen, said in a statement Thursday night that he was relieved the case would not proceed. He had said at the time of the incident that he made a mistake by "rushing to the airport and not checking my briefcase prior to entering the McAllen Miller International Airport."

The Transportation Security Administration Web site says unauthorized weapons may not be brought to security checkpoints and that doing so could result in criminal or civil charges punishable by two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

[dws1117]

I realize that anyone can make a mistake, but if that had been one of us we would have been nailed to the wall. We would loose our self protection permission slip and probably loose our right to even own a gun. Making a mistake wouldn't be an acceptable excuse for the average Joe Citizen.

Sorry for my attitude, but it really ticks me off when government officials and celebrities are given special treatment in the legal system.

[onerifle]

I realize that anyone can make a mistake, but if that had been one of us we would have been nailed to the wall. We would loose our self protection permission slip and probably loose our right to even own a gun. Making a mistake wouldn't be an acceptable excuse for the average Joe Citizen.

Sorry for my attitude, but it really ticks me off when government officials and celebrities are given special treatment in the legal system.

I pretty much agree with you; this is the orginal thread:


http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 0b21a#8405

[jimlongley]

The TSA can, and probably will, still go after him, they supposedly have a very strict, no tolerance, policy.

[KBCraig]

The nasty thing about TSA is that there is no hearing, no judge, no defense: they simply mail you a letter informing you that you've been administratively fined, ranging from $2,000-10,000. Pay up, or never fly again.

Oh, and the letter warns you that the fine and the letter are secret, and that you may not disclose them to anyone for any reason.

I just happen to have friends who laugh at such threats. :D

http://forum.soulawakenings.com/index.php?topic=991.0

(After 82+ pages, the thread has obviously drifted a bit. But within there, you'll find Russell's letter from TSA.)

Kevin

[gigag04]

I found his letter:

http://www.soulawakenings.com/underground/TSA1.jpg

http://www.soulawakenings.com/underground/TSA2.jpg

Thats should save ya looking! Now onto commentary

What a bunch of trash. "No part of this record may be discolsed to persons without a "need to know."

What a joke, I totally respect you as a rational human being Jimlongley, but what in the world is up with TSA? After reading that linked post (somewhat reading...) I am really thinking about the rights of citizens this organization violates!

Maybe it depends on what airport you are around, and the attitude of your screener. I had my pocketknife confiscated (the day after I bought it) because I left it in my backpack. They took it, but said nothing about my tweezers, razorblade, or nail clippers which have a blade of sorts.

Just some late night commentary.

See y'all in the morning (online that is).

-nick