Governor Haley Barbour Arrested

Hattiesburg Patriot News Media (HPNM) has confirmed that former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was arrested in the morning hours of January 2nd at the Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport when he attempted to board a plane with a loaded 38 caliber revolver. Hattiesburg Patriot news media submitted Freedom of Information Request with TSA and the Jackson Airport police after sources contacted HPNM about the incident.

TSA responded to request for all emails, video, audio, and communications regarding the alleged detainer and/or arrest of former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour with the following email communication.

From: Farbstein, Lisa <Lisa.Farbstein@tsa.dhs.gov<mailto:Lisa.Farbstein@tsa.dhs.gov>>
Date: Wednesday, Jan 24, 2018, 11:32 AM
To: Koshetz, Sari <sari.koshetz@tsa.dhs.gov<mailto:sari.koshetz@tsa.dhs.gov>>
Subject: More info on the JAN gun including a photo

.38 caliber revolver loaded with five bullets and here is the photo of the gun.

The former governor was arrested by airport police, posted bond, and was able to catch his flight.

Lisa Farbstein
Acting Director of Media Relations and Press Secretary
Office of Public Affairs
Transportation Security Administration
Lisa.Farbstein@tsa.dhs.gov<mailto:Lisa.Farbstein@tsa.dhs.gov>

 

In a follow up email, TSA wrote the following:

On the morning of January 2, 2018, a TSA officer who was staffing a checkpoint x-ray machine at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport spotted a firearm in a carry-on bag. As per protocol, TSA officials contacted the airport police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and detained the passenger for questioning. The firearm was loaded with five rounds.

As a reminder, individuals who bring weapons to the checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/civil-enforcement

Hattiesburg Patriot News Media also broke a story last week about Barbour’s lobbying firm, BGR Government Affairs’ unregistered lobbying efforts on behalf of the Uranium One deal that has been the subject of national reporting. Read that story here.