Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-farina,0,4529435.story

"Los Angeles -- He's played a police officer on-screen and off, and now veteran actor Dennis Farina is on the other side of the law.

Farina was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport today when investigators say an unregistered handgun was found in his briefcase as he attempted to board an airplane. The gun was loaded at the time, police said.

Farina, 64, was described as "very apologetic and cooperative" by Airport Police as he was handcuffed at the United Airlines terminal, where he was booked on a flight to Chicago.

The actor told police he had driven in from Arizona to catch a flight to Chicago from LAX and that he had forgotten he had the gun in the briefcase. Farina, a former Chicago police officer, admitted he did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon at the time of his arrest, police said.

He was originally charged with a misdemeanor weapons charge and was taken to the LAPD Pacific station, and his bail was first set at $25,000. But the charges were then upgraded to a felony, as the .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol was not registered.


Farina was transferred to the LAPD Van Nuys station, which is equipped to examine persons under a doctor's care. The new bail figure was not available from LAX Police, and LAPD would not comment.

Farina played detective Joe Fontana in more than 40 episodes of "Law And Order" on the NBC television network, as well as regular roles in the TV series "Miami Vice" "In-Laws" and "Crime Story."

He has also had roles in "Saving Private Ryan" and numerous other movies.

Farina's latest movie, "What Happens In Vegas," opened this week."


I don't know anything about PA gun law, but that sounds like the DA is playing favorites.

Farina should have known better than to get careless with gun handling. Probably a former naive believer in law enforcement.

Re: Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

I am thinking that he has probably gotten away with carrying w/o a permit for a long time because he "plays" a cop. Maybe he is starting to think he is one...

Re: Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

Hmm.....where would the gun have to have been "registered", since he is not a citizen of California ? All of mine are "unregistered".

And a concealed carry permit wouldn't mean jack boarding an airplane.....you've now entered the Federal Twilight Zone.....I suspect THAT attempted entry was the felony.

LAPD was probably trying to let him off with a misdemeanor and somebody pointed out that anybody else would have a felony charge slapped on them......

The reporter in this case probably doesn't know gun laws.

Re: Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

Why anyone with brains remains in that God-forsaken state is beyond my ability to comprehend.

Re: Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

While I tend to agree with you about California, this was an airport....and would have happened at any airport in any State......hence I say, you have entered the Federal Twilight Zone.

Re: Oops! Unregistered gun upgrades misdemeanor to felony.
 

+1


Of all places to get arrested The very LAST PLACE ON EARTH YOU WANT THAT HAPPEN IS IN A AIRPORT. as soon as they cuff you .. IT IS FEDERAL and the FED's can try your @$$ anywhere they dam please, Think you get a phone call?? KEEP DREAMING and if you start to make waves you will have a possible "enemy combatant" lable slapped on you and then ALL BETS ARE OFF. they can throw in you a spiderhole never to heard from again.(Ed Brown and his wife)

Twilight zone is a apt description.


T