"Congressman Pleads Guilty To Carrying Gun At Airport"

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Lawmaker Pleads to Bringing Gun to Airport
BY DYLAN T. LOVAN
The Associated Press


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An Indiana congressman who brought a loaded gun to
Louisville International Airport pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor
charge and agreed to give up the weapon.

Rep. John Hostettler, who did not appear in court, pleaded guilty to a
misdemeanor charge of 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, D.C., his two places of
residence. Patteson said Hostettler's permit to carry a concealed weapon
would not be recognized in Kentucky during that time.

Hostettler, who represents the 8th District in southwestern Indiana, was
stopped when security workers at the Louisville airport found a Glock 9
mm semiautomatic handgun in his briefcase as it passed through an X-ray
scanner. Hostettler, who had been about to board a flight for
Washington, said he forgot he had placed the gun in the briefcase.

In a written statement, Hostettler said he "would like to apologize 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 the
Louisville airport with guns in carryon luggage. Court and airport
police records show most were fined about $100 and given no jail time.


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