A NON PAX LADY WAS CAUGHT BRINGING A HAND GUN THROUGH AN ARPT SECURITY CHK POINT.

Narrative

I WAS WALKING WITH MY SISTER TO THE BOARDING GATE AT THE CHARLESTON ARPT. (I WAS NOT TO BE A PAX -- I HAD DRIVEN MY SISTER TO THE ARPT). AS THERE HAD BEEN RECENT ROBBERIES OF BUSINESSES IN MY HOME TOWN (I OWN A BUSINESS AND AM SELF EMPLOYED); I HAD DECIDED TO KEEP A GUN AT WORK AND TAKE IT HOME AT NIGHT. ON SAT AFTER LEAVING MY OFFICE I FORGOT TO REMOVE THE HANDGUN FROM MY PURSE SO THAT WHEN PASSING THROUGH SECURITY IT WAS DETECTED BY SECURITY. WHEN ASKED IF I WOULD MIND SENDING MY PURSE BACK THROUGH X-RAY; I THEN REMEMBERED THE HANDGUN AND ASKED FOR MY PURSE BACK. I STATED THAT I NEEDED TO PLACE THE PURSE IN MY CAR. THE SECURITY OFFICER DENIED MY REQUEST AND CALLED THE ARPT POLICE. I WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CHARGED. THIS TAKING OF THE HANDGUN INTO THE TERMINAL BUILDING WAS AN OVERSIGHT ON MY PART. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED AS AN INTENTIONAL LAW BREAKER. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO. RPTR STATED THAT SHE WAS NOT CHARGED BY THE STATE BUT HAD TO FORFEIT THE GUN. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POLICE INTERROGATION WAS VERY HUMILIATING AND THAT THE FAA HAD SENT HER A LETTER OF INVESTIGATION. SHE HAD HEARD NOTHING FURTHER.