Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney Blog
You’re running late for your flight. You grab your favorite carry-on bag (the same one you took to the shooting range last weekend) and rush to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). As you place it on the TSA conveyor belt, your heart sinks. The screener’s face changes. Security is called. Within minutes, you’re in handcuffs, facing a third-degree felony charge for carrying a concealed firearm.
The words you utter —”I honestly forgot it was in there”— may be the truth. But in Florida’s criminal justice system, that honest mistake can still result in up to five years in prison, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of your Second Amendment rights. Without experienced legal counsel from a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of Florida’s gun laws and airport security violations, your honest mistake could destroy your future.
When Forgetfulness Becomes a Felony
Florida Statutes § 790.06(12)(a) makes it a third-degree felony for any person to possess or carry a concealed firearm in any airport terminal. This statute makes no explicit exception for accidental possession or lack of intent. On its face, the law appears to be a strict liability offense, meaning the state need only prove you possessed the weapon, not that you intended to commit a crime. Continue reading
