STATE LAWMAKER ARRESTED AT DIA ON ALLEGED GUN CARRY
A Colorado state lawmaker was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Denver International Airport on suspicion of bringing a gun into the hub.
Denver police say Rep. Lori Saine, a Weld County Republican, is being held for investigation of introducing a firearm into a transportation facility.
“The investigation is ongoing, so additional details are not available for release at this time,” police said in a written statement. “At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Denver district attorney’s office for consideration of possible charges.”
A Denver Police Department spokesman said it was his understanding that at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Saine was going through the booking process.
Jail records did not immediately show her in the Denver Sheriff Department’s custody.
The arrest was first reported by radio station KUNC.
A House Republican spokesman said GOP leaders were still trying to get information about the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
“Without knowing any more information, we’re unable to comment further at this time,” said Joel Malecka, the House GOP spokesman.
A message left for Saine, 43, on Tuesday afternoon was not immediately returned.
Further information has not been released by Denver police, and prosecutors said they didn’t have information to provide on Tuesday afternoon.
At the state Capitol, Saine has been a defender of gun rights, battling legislation in 2013 of a bill banning high-capacity ammunition magazines.
DIA is among the nation’s top airports for Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint gun seizures. Agents last year seized more than 90 firearms at the hub.
Passengers found with a gun at an airport can face large civil penalties, as well as local and/or state charges.
Firearms can be brought onto a plane if they are properly placed in checked baggage. Staff writer Brian Eason contributed to this report.