Pistol-packing Texas Republican hit with felony charges for airport incident

A Republican lawmaker was charged with a felony on Friday for attempting to carry a .38 caliber pistol and ammunition through airport security earlier this month.

Talking Points Memo reported that Texas state Rep. Drew Darby had the Ruger pistol and six rounds of ammunition in his carry-on bag at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but when security confronted him abut it, he claimed he'd forgotten to take it out. A TSA worker found the weapon in the Republican's bag, he flagged an officer of the Austin Police Department.

The Austin-American Statesman said that Darby was arrested and booked into Travis County Jail at 7:22 a.m. on Nov. 14. He was released hours later of $5,000 bond.

According to the Associated Press, Darby released a statement saying he regrets the mistake and that he has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

The Statesman said that Darby is "chairman of the House Redistricting Committee and holds seats on the powerful appropriations and higher education committees."

The 66-year-old state representative faces third-degree felony charges for illegally carrying a handgun into a restricted area.

[image of Drew Darby via Facebook.com]