Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Federal Official Leans on County Sheriffs to Revoke Concealed Carry Licenses for Non-Criminal Action

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Federal Official Leans on County Sheriffs to Revoke Concealed Carry Licenses for Non-Criminal Action

According to local news reports and gun bloggers, a federal prosecutor in Western Pennsylvania is hoping to team up with county sheriffs to revoke the concealed carry licenses of travelers who accidentally bring guns to airport security checkpoints.

The reports also state that Allegheny County Sheriff William Mullen, whose jurisdiction covers Pittsburgh and its international airport, has agreed to cooperate with the plan.

Needless to say, the NRA encourages all gun owners to be prudent and conscientious about checking any bag that could contain a firearm before using it as carry-on luggage at an airport.

Nevertheless, innocent mistakes can and do occur. Many peopleslifestyles involve lawfully carrying firearms, as well as making frequent or last-minute trips by air travel. Someone going to a funeral or hastily-scheduled business meeting, for example, could easily get distracted enough to forget what was in a carry-on bag.

To put things in perspective, the Transportation Security Administration regulates all sorts of items that purportedly pose a risk to air travel, up to an including drinking water. It shouldnt be assumed that everyone violating one of these rules does so intending to cause harm.

The criminal law recognizes this, and absent illegal intent, cases of firearms mistakenly brought to airport checkpoints are usually resolved with civil fines (perhaps in the thousands of dollars) and possible confiscation and forfeiture of the firearm itself. These measures, where appropriate, should more than encourage more careful behavior from forgetful travelers.

Nevertheless, Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Kaufman of the Western District of Pennsylvania also wants the travelers to lose their concealed carry licenses. Kaufman is reaching out to local sheriffs in Pennsylvania, asking them to revoke these licenses in incidents of this type, even when no criminal charges are brought.

While Pennsylvania concealed carry licenses are considered shall-issue” for applicants who meet statutory requirements, provisions of the law give licensing officials some discretion to revoke the credentials for unspecified character and reputation” reasons.

The manifest intent behind these provisions is to allow law enforcement agencies to respond to indicia of criminal intent or activity that hasnt yet resulted in a conviction.

Leave it to a Biden administration official, however, to try to stretch the bounds of the law as far as possible to diminish the freedom to keep and bear arms, even wheres there no evidence of bad motives.

Moreover, its not as if the federal government doesnt have ample legal tools of its own for dealing with true criminals who intentionally and unashamedly use guns to harm and threaten and others. We have often made the point that federal prosecutors should vigorously enforce existing laws against dangerous predators, rather than search for ways to scapegoat or harass well-meaning citizens who exercise their Second Amendment rights. There remains plenty of room for the U.S. Justice Department to improve in this regard. Indeed, some of the same voices calling for increased gun control also want the federal government to handle fewer firearm cases.

Unfortunately, the Biden Administration is more interested in harassing law-abiding gun owners than reducing crime through the prosecution of violent criminals.

TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

Excellent news for gun owners came last week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes the complete removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). 

Loot Canal: U.S. Taxpayers Funded Bizarre Dental “Gun Violence” Research

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Loot Canal: U.S. Taxpayers Funded Bizarre Dental “Gun Violence” Research

When the Biden-Harris administration made clear they intended to use a “whole-of-government” approach to suppress Second Amendment rights, few could have predicted their efforts would extend all the way to the dentist’s office.

Australia’s Gun Laws, Failing in Different Ways

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Australia’s Gun Laws, Failing in Different Ways

Everything is relative, so the saying goes, which means that once in a while, it’s instructive to read about the gun laws and the state of gun rights in other countries. 

Twenty-four State Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 38

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Twenty-four State Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 38

On May 21, two dozen state attorneys general sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging that body to pass H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

ATF Updates “Brady Permit Chart,” Reduces Need for Redundant NICS Checks

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

ATF Updates “Brady Permit Chart,” Reduces Need for Redundant NICS Checks

We have been reporting on recent reforms by ATF to make its operations more transparent, professional, and public safety focused and less openly hostile to law abiding gun owners and the industries that serve them. 

Anti-gun Shakedown Machine Now Targets Toy Gun Sellers

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Anti-gun Shakedown Machine Now Targets Toy Gun Sellers

The pro-Second Amendment community understands that guns are not toys.

Texas Bill Would Put Local “Buybacks” Out of Business, Ending an Anti-gun Charade

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Texas Bill Would Put Local “Buybacks” Out of Business, Ending an Anti-gun Charade

As Texas House Bill 3053 heads to Governor Abbott’s desk, it is serving as a broader reminder to all states of the gun “buybacks” scam, only this time with a legislative solution to this anti-gun mainstay.

Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies

Yesterday, May 28, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 6025 into law protecting our Second Amendment Rights during a state of emergency. The new law became effective upon the governor's signature.  

Illinois: Legislature Advances Sweeping Gun Control

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Illinois: Legislature Advances Sweeping Gun Control

Yesterday, the Illinois House passed House Bill 850, legislation that drastically alters the definition of “clear and present danger” under the FOID and Concealed Carry License (CCL) framework. This bill now moves to the Senate ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.