| Maas Won't Face State Gun Charge
Zahnd Says Loophole Makes It Impossible To Prosecute
POSTED: 10:44 am CDT September 12, 2007
UPDATED: 11:11 am CDT September 12, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Former Kansas Chiefs player Bill Maas will not face a gun charge after he was arrested at the Kansas City International Airport on suspicion of trying to board a plane with a loaded handgun.
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said his office would not file charges against Maas.
"Missouri law currently makes it impossible to prosecute someone who tries to carry a gun on a plane unless that person was going to commit a crime," Zahnd said in a news release. "I first asked the Legislature to fix this loophole in 2004, and I hope lawmakers will change the law soon."
Zahnd said Maas was arrested Sept. 5 after he tried to board a Northwest Airlines flight. Security screeners told investigators that they found a Glock handgun with 15 rounds in the clip of Maas' carry-on bag.
Maas told an airport police officer that he had forgotten the weapon was in his bag.
Missouri law contains a provision dating back to 1874 that allows people to carry concealed weapons if they are "traveling in a continuous journey peaceably."
Zahnd said more guns and knives have been found at KCI Airport since the 9/11 attacks, but because of problems with the law, few state prosecutions have occurred.
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How interesting.  |