Delaware senator enters plea, gets probation on gun charge

A Delaware state senator who carried a loaded handgun into a Maryland airport has reached a deal with prosecutors allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction and prison time.

Delaware state Sen. Brian Pettyjohn agreed to probation before judgment after carrying a loaded handgun into a Maryland airport. (photo via Delaware.gov)

Delaware state Sen. Brian Pettyjohn agreed to probation before judgment after carrying a loaded handgun into a Maryland airport. (photo via Delaware.gov)

A Delaware state senator who carried a loaded handgun into a Maryland airport has reached a deal with prosecutors allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction and prison time.

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn agreed to probation before judgment Friday on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a handgun, which he forfeited to Wicomico County authorities. A felony charge of attempting to carry a firearm on an aircraft, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, was dismissed.

The deal means Pettyjohn will avoid a conviction upon completion of his probation.

Pettyjohn, a Georgetown Republican, was headed to a conference in June when workers at Salisbury Regional Airport found the gun in his laptop bag.

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Pettyjohn, who has a Delaware concealed-carry license, said he inadvertently left the gun in the bag while packing.

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