WASHINGTON — Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., was cited Tuesday for having a loaded 9mm handgun at a TSA checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the second time he has been stopped with a firearm at an airport since taking workplace final 12 months.
The incident occurred simply earlier than 9 a.m., when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated it was notified that Transportation Security Administration brokers had discovered a firearm, ammunition and a journal in Cawthorn’s belongings at a safety checkpoint, in line with a police report.
Cawthorn was issued a quotation in lieu of an arrest for possession of a harmful weapon on metropolis property, a misdemeanor cost. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte and has a number of postings stating “no dangerous weapons allowed,” police stated of their report. They added in a assertion that Cawthorn was cooperative and advised officers that the gun belonged to him.
A TSA spokesperson stated the penalty for violating guidelines surrounding firearms is as much as $13,900. It was not instantly clear if the company will pursue a wonderful in opposition to Cawthorn. The spokesperson advised NBC News that whereas it does not focus on the small print of every case, “in almost every incident we issue one,” with a assessment and potential penalty seemingly within the coming weeks.
Authorities final 12 months stopped Cawthorn from carrying a loaded 9mm handgun onto a flight out of Asheville, North Carolina. The TSA says civil penalties are sometimes larger for “repeat violations.”
After Cawthorn was launched Tuesday, officers took possession of the firearm, a commonplace process, police stated.
A quotation as a substitute of arrest in additionally regular process, the division stated, “unless there are other associated felony charges or extenuating circumstances.”
NBC News has reached out to Cawthorn’s workplace for remark.
The misdemeanor cost is Cawthorn’s second up to now two months. In March, he was charged with driving with a revoked license and faces two pending citations for dashing. He has a May 6 courtroom date for the license cost, a misdemeanor.
Cawthorn, 26, makes use of a wheelchair as a result of he was significantly injured in a 2014 automobile accident whereas driving as a passenger within the automobile of a good friend who fell asleep at the wheel, in line with his 2019 federal courtroom submitting in opposition to the auto insurance coverage firm.
The North Carolina Republican not too long ago prompted an uproar when he claimed on a podcast that his congressional colleagues had been utilizing medication and welcoming him to intercourse events. On the podcast, Cawthorn mentioned “the sexual perversion that goes on in Washington” and stated a few of his older colleagues had invited him to a “sexual get-together.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., on Tuesday questioned Cawthorn’s maturity after his latest run-ins with the legislation.
“Speeding tickets have happened and driving without a license has happened,” Tillis stated when requested about Cawthorn’s previous encounters with legislation enforcement. “These things just speak to judgement. Judgement or maturity.”
Last month, Tillis endorsed Cawthorn’s major challenger, state Sen. Chuck Edwards.
“We’ve got to have somebody who’s demonstrating judgment and temperament and a willingness to work together for the betterment of North Carolinians,” Tillis stated Tuesday, including that proper now Cawthorn is “not at that table.”
Scott Wong contributed.