OMAHA, NEBRASKA — Rev. Alvin “Dobie” Weasel has been charged with a misdemeanor offense after being caught for the second time with a firearm in his carry-on luggage. The first time, he was released with a warning but Omaha interim prosecutor Tom Mumgaard stated to KETV that if lightning strikes twice in the same spot, it’s no longer coincidence.
via KETV
“When it occurs twice with the same individual, it warrants prosecution,” Mumgaard explained. “If you have a concealed weapon permit, you have an additional responsibility that comes with that permit and that is to at all times know where your weapon is.”
Rev. Weasel appeared mystified by the whole process. Despite multiple signs, warnings, and a lengthy screening process, he still managed to forget the first time he tried bringing a concealed carry firearm through the carry-on luggage section.
“[P]erhaps he’s trying to use this so others can learn from my mistake and then perhaps he’s using this to teach me, so that something worse wouldn’t happen,” the pastor said.
Hopefully the lesson includes situational awareness and paying attention to detail. Two things essential to keeping a concealed carrier’s fat out of the fire and obviously missing from this situation.
People do get caught bringing their handguns through TSA security. And while Rev. Weasel was licensed to carry a concealed firearm, that right doesn’t extend into the secure section of the airport. Weasel allegedly tried to pin the situation on God’s plan to teach firearm safety. He’s obviously going to learn that lesson the hard way.
For the rest of us, gun safety is an essential component of responsibly owning a firearm. You can choose to not abide by basic firearm safety or you can unwittingly do so — but there will eventually always be consequences. The very least of those consequences is being reprimanded and prosecuted by the local interim prosecutor.
We suggest always using a dedicated range bag or luggage to store guns you bring with you to the range for practice. Having that degree of separation can keep you from accidentally leaving live ammunition and firearms in the luggage you take with you to the airport. That, and not being lulled into a false sense of complacency are two very easy ways to avoid this potential pitfall and many others.
Firearm safety has to be the top priority for any gun owner. Our lives and the lives of those around us deserve that much consideration.