Firearm Was Properly Checked, But Did Not Arrive At Destination

A .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol checked on a Continental flight from Denver to Houston July 26th was missing when its owner arrived at his destination, and the gun hasn't been seen since.

Danny Gravois told Denver television station KMGH that he had placed the firearm in a case and checked it properly to Houston at Denver International Airport. But when he arrived in Houston, the case did not come up at baggage claim.

Gravois said he has filed a complaint with the airline, as well as a report with the Houston police. Continental will say only that it has launched an internal investigation into the incident.

An airline security expert told the station that "mistakes happen," and that given the sheer amount of checked items that pass through the nation's airports, some things are sure to go missing. Still, Bryan Cunningham said, the nature of this missing item raises questions about what else might go missing in transit. TSA says that once a firearm is screened by its personnel in front of the customer, it becomes the responsibility of the individual airline.

FMI: www.continental.com, www.tsa.gov