It’s against the law in California to bring a weapon into an airport. Individuals who disregard this law may face criminal charges under Penal Code 171.5(b). Convictions for PC 171.5(b) charges may result in fines and jail time.
You can learn more about a bringing a weapon to an airport charge below. Consider examples of PC 171.5(b) violations and focus on some of the possible legal defenses for these charges.
Legal Definition of Bringing a Weapon to an Airport
California uses many different laws to regulate the usage of weapons in the state. People are not allowed to bring weapons at all to some places. This includes the “sterile area” of airports. Sterile areas are any parts of an airport past a Transportation Security Agency (TSA) checkpoint, including the terminal.
PC 171.5(b) lists specific examples of weapons individuals are not allowed to bring into an airport. According to this legal code, individuals are not allowed to bring:
- Firearms of any kind
- Practice or replica hand grenades
- Stun guns or taser guns
- Straight razors
- Box cutters
- Tear gas weapons
- Ammunition or parts of a firearm
Note that most knives are not allowed in airports. This includes any knives with fixed blades that are more than four inches long. Attempting to bring other weapons into an airport could also lead to PC 171.5(b) charges.
Outcomes of a Conviction for a PC 171.5(b) Violation
The court considers bringing a weapon to an airport to be a misdemeanor-level offense. This means there are a number of penalties associated with a conviction. The possible results of a conviction include:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Jail time of up to six months
- Summary probation
These charges should receive serious treatment and legal consideration. You may get more information about bringing a weapon to an airport by contacting a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles at (310) 896-2723.
Members of the Simmrin Law Group are also prepared to help you learn about similar charges to the one you’re facing. For example, you may contact us to find out more about:
- Penal Code 171b: Weapons in Public Buildings and at Meetings
- Penal Code 171.7: Weapons at Public Transit Facilities
Examples of PC 171.5(b) Violations
Consider the following examples to better understand the charge of bringing a weapon to an airport under PC 171.5(b):
Man A wants to board a flight across the country. He told a friend that he would bring an antique gun to show them. He attempts to get the gun through security by concealing it on his person. He could face charges for bringing a weapon to an airport. Additionally, he could possibly face a penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit in California.
Man B decides to pull a prank before going to the airport. He packs a few replica grenades in his carry-on bag and tries to go through a TSA check-out. Though they are not real weapons, they are still restricted items under PC 171.5(b). The court could charge him with bringing a weapon to an airport.
Handling Charges for Bringing a Weapon to an Airport
There are defenses for PC 171.5(b) charges here in California. A lawyer can focus on helping you build a defense if you were accused of bringing a weapon into an airport. For example, you may end up avoiding a conviction if a lawyer shows that:
You Didn’t Know You Had a Weapon
You must knowingly bring a weapon into an airport to face a PC 171.5(b) conviction. This means that you could build a defense if someone else put a weapon in your baggage. If you did not know the weapon was there, make sure you tell your lawyer.
You Were Forced to Bring the Weapon
Sometimes people are forced under duress to bring a weapon into an airport. You may only use duress as a defense if you believed that your life or physical well-being was endangered. A lawyer may work to show that you were threatened by someone else here in California.
Take Charge of Your Case After a PC 171.5(b) Charge
Members of the Simmrin Law Group are standing by if you were charged under Penal Code 171.5(b): Bringing a Weapon to an Airport. Find out more about how we could help you by contacting our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers for a free consultation at (310) 896-2723. You may also complete our online contact form.