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SANDY -- A well-known lawyer was booked into the Salt Lake County jail Thursday morning after TSA agents found a handgun in his luggage.
Attorney Craig Swapp was arrested at the Salt Lake International Airport as he attempted to travel to Boise, Idaho with a small handgun and a magazine with ammunition in his briefcase. But Swapp said it was "an honest mistake."
"I had ammunition, but the gun was not loaded," Swapp said.
Swapp holds a concealed carry permit and says he usually stores the gun in his safe when he travels, but he was in a rush to get to the airport Thursday morning and forgot the gun was there.
"From there it was a big deal, and I can see why," he said. "If people have handguns, that is a real breach of security."
Swapp is not sure what will happen next, but said he is sure it will not happen again.
It was a mistake and I'll take care of whatever I need to take care of.
–Craig Swapp
"It really depends on the prosecutor on what kind of charges they want to bring against me for it, and all you know it is what it is," he said. "It was a mistake and I'll take care of whatever I need to take care of."
Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann confirmed Swapp was arrested for possession of the handgun. Last month, airport security made five arrests for similar incidents.
"This will be a good reminder for other people too," Swapp said.
Email: corton@ksl.com