Facing 10 years In prison, Pettyjohn cuts deal in Maryland gun case
Wherein we learn once again, that when a white guy tries to get on a plane with a gun it is just an “honest mistake”.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, facing felony gun charges for having a handgun in a carry-on bag while trying to board an airplane, reached a deal Sept. 29 in Maryland.
Specifics on a plea deal were not readily available, but Pettyjohn faced felony firearm, explosive on aircraft and misdemeanor handgun on a person. The charges stemmed from a June 22 incident in Salisbury when airport officials found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic handgun stored in Pettyjohn’s laptop bag.
Pettyjohn said he has a permit to carry a concealed weapon for Delaware but there is no reciprocity with Maryland for people who have a Delaware permit. He was preparing to fly to a conference in New Orleans when, he said, he inadvertently left the weapon in a carry-on bag. According to FAA officials, a person who travels with a gun must put it in luggage that is checked in.
On Friday, he said he made an honest mistake when he forgot to put his handgun in luggage for check-in.
“I’m thankful for the professionalism of all parties involved, including my counsel John Phoebus,” Pettyjohn said. “My family and I are happy that this is now behind us, and I look forward to continuing to work for and represent the people of the 19th senate district.”
The Maryland District Court Commissioner filed the felony charge against Pettyjohn, an offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but the case was eventually moved to Maryland Circuit Court and the misdemeanor handgun charge was added.
Boneheaded move, but Won’t impact the guy in that district down there..
‘Boneheaded move’.
Bringing a loaded weapon onto a plane.
Wonder if a ‘law-abiding’ African-American or a ‘law-abiding’ Muslim would have received the same sentence.
Actually, I don’t wonder at all.
Agreed, Pettyjohn will pay no price for his stupidity, especially not a political price.
Let’s just pause for a second and think about the fact that he wasn’t aware of where he had his loaded handgun. I just don’t know how that is responsible gun ownership, especially in a home with a child.
As much as I’d like to think it’s only a white male thing, let’s not ignore the special treatment the political class gets at the hands of law enforcement.
Both accurate statements.
“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy who forgot he packed his gun in a carry on bag.” Comment on the Cape Gazette website.
For the win.
That is pretty good.
We expect people to be responsible with firearms. Provisions for civil litigation strongly suggest that ANY lapse in judgement, memory, are SERIOUS in the eyes of the law. That Pettyjohn explains his behavior as a simple lapse in memory suggests either: he does not make being responsible a priority when handling firearms or; he thinks we will accept a lame excuse as, “I forgot” as if he was some adolescent figuring things out for the first time. In addition: as he weighs in on issues such as gun safety, we must take into account what appears to be his own “relaxed” sense of standards. On the other hand, what if he considers himself, by virtue of his elected status, to be above the rest of us as regards gun laws, that is, they apply to you and I, but not privileged souls such as himself…