Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

TSA finds firearm in anti-gun California lawmaker’s luggage

Monday, March 14, 2022

TSA finds firearm in anti-gun California lawmaker’s luggage

According to several media reports, on March 3 California Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-09) was traveling through a security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport when the Transportation Security Administration found a loaded gun in his baggage. The Sacramento Bee reported that the firearm was detected by an X-ray screening machine in what was described by Coopers Capitol Office as a male messenger bag which looks like a purse.”

The NRA-ILA F-rated lawmaker was not charged during the incident. In fact, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office told the Sacramento Bee that law enforcement stored the discovered firearm for Cooper while he was on his trip and returned the gun to the lawmaker upon his arrival back in Sacramento.

Law-abiding gun owners who mistakenly bring firearms to airport security checkpoints dont always enjoy such a seamless experience.

Cal.Penal Code § 171.5 provides,

(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, within any sterile area of an airport or a passenger vessel terminal, any of the items listed in subdivision (c).
(c) The following items are unlawful to possess as provided in subdivision (b):
(1) Any firearm.

Sterile area” is defined to include a portion of an airport defined in the airport security program to which access generally is controlled through the screening of persons and property.”

A violation of Penal Code § 171.5 is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.”

Under federal law, those found with firearms at a TSA checkpoint are often subject to stiff fines. According TSAs enforcement sanction guidance table, a person found with a loaded gun should be charged a civil fine of $3,000-$10,000 for a first offense.

Cooper is a retired law enforcement officer. Californias prohibition on firearms in the sterile area” of airports exempts some retired law enforcement officers. Sgt. Rodney Grassmann of the Sacramento County Sheriffs office confirmed to KCRA that Cooper met the qualifications for this exemption. However, Coopers status would not make it legal for the lawmaker to carry a firearm on a plane under federal law.

Despite quite obviously enjoying his own Right-to-Carry, Cooper is no defender of the Second Amendment. In 2016, Cooper authored so-called ghost gun” legislation in the form of AB857. The bill criminalized the traditional right of Americans to make their own firearms for personal use without government interference.

NRA-ILA understands that otherwise law-abiding gun owners who mistakenly carry a firearm into an airport security checkpoint should be shown the same courtesy as Assemblyman Cooper. Thats why NRA-ILA has worked with state lawmakers to create safe harbor laws that protect gun owners who make this unfortunate mistake.

For example, like California, Texas law outlaws the possession of firearms inside the secured area” of an airport. However, Texas Penal Code § 46.03(e-1) provides a defense to prosecution for those who,

(1) possessed, at the screening checkpoint for the secured area, a handgun that the actor was licensed to carry under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code; and

(2) exited the screening checkpoint for the secured area immediately upon completion of the required screening processes and notification that the actor possessed the handgun.

NRA-ILA stands ready to work with Cooper on such legislation should the lawmaker be willing to put aside anti-gun politics long enough to extend to all law-abiding Californians the compassion that he was so generously afforded.

IN THIS ARTICLE
TSA checkpoint
TRENDING NOW
Report: Senior ATF Official Joins (Private) Firearm Prohibition Lobby

News  

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Report: Senior ATF Official Joins (Private) Firearm Prohibition Lobby

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the federal agency whose jurisdiction encompasses federal firearms laws. 

Third Circuit Sua Sponte Takes NRA’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Ban Case En Banc

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Third Circuit Sua Sponte Takes NRA’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Ban Case En Banc

Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Attorney Gen. New Jersey is an NRA-supported challenge to New Jersey’s prohibitions on so-called “assault firearms” and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.

Update: North Carolina House Reschedules Veto Override Vote

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Update: North Carolina House Reschedules Veto Override Vote

Today, the House rescheduled the veto override vote on Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to Monday, September 22. 

ABAs Latest Resolution Continues to Ignore Liberty and Hinder Justice for Gun Owners

News  

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

ABAs Latest Resolution Continues to Ignore Liberty and Hinder Justice for Gun Owners

Last month, the American Bar Association (ABA), via its Standing Committee on Gun Violence, passed yet another anti-gun resolution at their annual meeting in Toronto (the venue should serve as a clue regarding their commitment ...

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

The Delusion of Ignoring Criminals

News  

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Delusion of Ignoring Criminals

Is it something in the water? Officials in Democrat-run strongholds like Chicago are unwilling to accept that their crime problems are the result of their pro-criminal, anti-victim policies, including gun laws that restrict the rights ...

Arkansas Atrocity Highlights Need for Reform in Rules Governing Carry in Public Parks

News  

Monday, August 25, 2025

Arkansas Atrocity Highlights Need for Reform in Rules Governing Carry in Public Parks

On the heels of the shocking and seemingly random murder of a couple in an Arkansas state park while they were walking a trail with their young children, many are revisiting their self-defense plans in the great ...

California: Action Needed! Anti-Gun Bills Could Receive Floor Votes Today!

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

California: Action Needed! Anti-Gun Bills Could Receive Floor Votes Today!

On Friday, August 29th, the California Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees advanced several anti-gun bills that could receive floor votes as early as today. Please use the TAKE ACTION button below to contact your state ...

Everytown Gun “Safety” Course—Step One: Don’t Own a Gun

News  

Monday, August 25, 2025

Everytown Gun “Safety” Course—Step One: Don’t Own a Gun

Our friends at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) have reported that Everytown, an active and well-funded anti-gun organization, is now purporting to be branching out into teaching gun owners how to safely handle firearms.

Grassroots Spotlight: Tacoma Sportman's Club

Take Action  

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Grassroots Spotlight: Tacoma Sportman's Club

Last month, Jane Milhans, an NRA-ILA FrontLines Activist Leader (FAL) in Washington state, hosted an “NRA 2A Evening and Grassroots Meeting” at the Tacoma Sportsman’s Club.

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.