Passenger's gun goes off at airport security checkpoint in ATL

[DieselDragRacer]

A passenger’s gun went off Sunday morning in the security line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, police say.


TSA officers found a loaded .22-caliber Magnum revolver in Richard Popkin’s carry-on bag during an X-ray scan, police said.

And while an Atlanta police officer responding to the scene tried to clear the five “snake” shot bullets – small game pellet ammunition – in the handgun, a shot went off, according to an Atlanta Police incident report obtained from Hartsfield officials.

No one was injured, but according to the responding officer’s account from the incident report, “I was grazed by a pellet fragment on the left side of my face. However, there were no visible injuries.”

Popkin, 43, is from Kathleen, south of Warner Robins, and was traveling to San Francisco. He told police he didn’t realize the pistol was in his messenger bag.

This is the 67th gun TSA agents have discovered this year at Hartsfield security checkpoints, TSA spokesman Jonathan Allen said.

In an e-mailed statement, Allen said that the federal agency is investigating the incident and can “level a civil penalty."

Popkin was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon in an unauthorized place and is being held at the Clayton County jail pending bond.
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[ultrarunner]

Sounds like someone from the ATL PD is headed back to class to learn the basics of proper weapon handling and retention.....

 

[m80drvr]

It is amazing how many police do NOT know how to clear/open a revolver. This is not a slam on the police. Many police officers are not gun folks and not many police agencies issue revolvers anymore. It is a simple procedure but if you are unfamilar or have not seen a revolver since training it can be interesting to watch them struggle.

That being said:

Don't point the gun at your face (pellet grazed officers face).

Don't pull the trigger on a loaded firearm while pointing at your face.

If unfamilar with gun...don't mess with it......while pointing it at your face!

Nuff said

 

[say again]

It is amazing how many police do NOT know how to clear/open a revolver. This is not a slam on the police. Many police officers are not gun folks and not many police agencies issue revolvers anymore. It is a simple procedure but if you are unfamilar or have not seen a revolver since training it can be interesting to watch them struggle.

That being said:

Don't point the gun at your face (pellet grazed officers face).

Don't pull the trigger on a loaded firearm while pointing at your face.

Nuff said

Though they don't issue them, it's still a wise idea that they know how to handle one. Heck, they are all over the streets. If they don't teach that in class, it would be wise to learn on your own. :beer:

As for your advice...dead on!

 

[ultrarunner]

..That being said:

Don't point the gun at your face (pellet grazed officers face).

Don't pull the trigger on a loaded firearm while pointing at your face...

Yep, the officer missed that part of class too.

 

[AC560]

That being said:

Don't point the gun at your face (pellet grazed officers face).

Don't pull the trigger on a loaded firearm while pointing at your face.

If unfamilar with gun...don't mess with it......while pointing it at your face!

But would it be ok if say I pointed it at somebody elses face?

 

[tankerhead]

22 mag five-shot revolvers made by NAA have to be disassembled to remove the bullets. The weapon is small enough to be worn as a belt buckle. Just sayin.

 

[m80drvr]

22 mag five-shot revolvers made by NAA have to be disassembled to remove the bullets. The weapon is small enough to be worn as a belt buckle. Just sayin.

Yup small parts and no trigger guard either.



It still has to be cocked manually though....If I remember correctly

 

[NEDude]

I am sure this guy is a "responsible gun owner" and member of the NRA.

I am not a gun guy, but I have no problem with people owning guns and am not in favor of most gun control legislation. However I do think people who own guns should be held to a very high standard. Forgetting where you keep your loaded gun is not in the least it responsible. Mistakenly carrying it into a crowded, secure facility because you forgot where you put your loaded gun is just plain stupid.

 

[scoreboardII]

He didn't forget, he was just hoping they wouldn't catch it.