Congressman admits carrying gun in luggage

An Indiana congressman who took a loaded gun to Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, pleaded guilty today to a misdemeanour charge and agreed to give up the weapon.

Representative John Hostettler, who did not appear in court, admitted carrying a concealed deadly weapon and agreed to a 60-day sentence that would be suspended for two years, said Bill Patteson, a spokesman for the Jefferson County Attorney’s office.

Hostettler would not have to serve the sentence if he meets the terms of the plea agreement, Patteson said.

Among those terms was Hostettler’s agreement to surrender the pistol that was found in his luggage on April 20, Patteson said.

Also for the two-year period, Hostettler would be allowed to purchase handguns only in Indiana or Washington DC, his two places of residence. Patteson said Hostettler’s permit to carry a concealed weapon would not be recognised in Kentucky during that time.

Hostettler was stopped when security workers at the Louisville airport found a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in his briefcase as it passed through an X-ray scanner. The congressman, who had been about to board a flight for Washington, said he forgot he had put the gun in the briefcase.

In a written statement, Hostettler said he “would like to apologise to my family, my constituents and the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for putting them through this ordeal.”

In the last two years at least 10 people have been stopped at Louisville International Airport with guns in carry-on luggage. Court and airport police records show most were fined about $100 (€82) and not imprisoned.