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Pilot arrested after gun found in bag
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A Northwest Airlines pilot arrested early Tuesday when authorities found a loaded gun in his bag at LaGuardia Airport has been released on his own recognizance as a judge set a February court date in the case. Robert Donaldson, 43, who was carrying a 9 mm handgun, was scheduled to fly Flight 1191 to Detroit at 6 a.m., but the flight was canceled after the discovery. Donaldson has been charged with criminal possession of a loaded gun. If convicted of the felony, he could face a maximum of 15 years in prison. "It's clear that this is all a mistake. The gun is licensed. We're going to clear this up," said the pilot's attorney, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma. A not guilty plea was entered on Donaldson's behalf and he is due back in court February 11. According to Queens Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Henderson, Donaldson said he had done some target shooting while in Michigan and had then placed the gun in his travel bag, forgetting about it. Donaldson said he did not have to go through screening at the Detroit airport. The prosecutor's office did say that Donaldson had a permit to carry the gun in Michigan. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners found the gun about 5:45 a.m. and notified the Port Authority police, who made the arrest, authorities said. "Our screeners do the job. They make sure prohibited items don't get through," TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said. "They did what they're supposed to do." Donaldson's arrest came as the government is preparing to put guns in the hands of pilots. Last year, Congress passed legislation authorizing pilots to carry guns in the cockpit, but the law has not gone into effect. The TSA has until February 25 to implement a training program for pilots to carry guns in the cockpit. Johnson said full implementation of the new law is still a few months away.
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