For the second time, airport security found U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn trying to board an airplane with a handgun, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Police said Transportation Security Administration agents found a 9 millimeter handgun in the congressman's carry-on bag at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Cawthorn was issued a citation for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, according to authorities. CMPD took possession of the firearm, and Cawthorn was released, police said.
"It is standard procedure for the CMPD Airport Division to cite in lieu of arrest for the misdemeanor charge of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on City Property unless there are other associated felony charges or extenuating circumstances," the police department said on Twitter.
In February 2021, TSA found Cawthorn going through airport security with a different 9 millimeter handgun at Asheville Regional Airport.
In the Asheville incident, Cawthorn was detained but not arrested. It's not clear if Cawthorn faced a fine for trying to bring a gun through airport security in Asheville.
People can face a fine up to $10,000 if they're found with a firearm in an airport security checkpoint, according to TSA policy.
Cawthorn's office has not responded to requests for comment on the latest incident.
After the last time Cawthorn was cited for bringing a loaded handgun through airport security, Micah Bock, Cawthorn's spokesman at the time, said, "While boarding a flight, Rep. Cawthorn erroneously stowed a firearm in his carry-on (that often doubles as a range bag) instead of his checked bag. The firearm was secured, and unchambered."
"Rep. Cawthorn endeavors to always follow TSA guidelines, and quickly rectified this situation before boarding his flight,” Bock said in a statement last year.
The first term Republican congressman is facing several challengers in the May 17 primary.