NM Homeland Security official caught with gun at Sunport

Anita Tallarico - Deputy Secretary
 of New Mexico Homeland Security

NewsNM:Swickard - a gotcha moment of no consequence since she is both a conceal carry trained person and is part of law enforcement.  From KOB-TV.com - By: Jill Galus, KOB Eyewitness News 4 - TSA agents at Albuquerque's Sunport caught a traveler trying to get through security with a loaded gun. According to a police report, the traveler was Anita Tallarico, the Deputy Secretary of the State's Department of Homeland Security. "She did not use her position as a quest to get out of something that occurred," said Sunport Police Chief Marshall Katz. Tallarico told TSA agents she simply forgot the gun was inside her purse, Katz said. "People in general, unfortunately, unnecessarily, bring a gun to the checkpoint and they shouldn't - positions and non-positions," Katz said. It is a common explanation when it comes to travelers caught with prohibited items, he explained. "I forgot, I didn't realize it was there, I should know better." In this case, when asked if Tallarico should have known better, Katz said he could not provide a comment "because I don't know what she was thinking." Tallarico does have a concealed carry permit, as does Governor Susana Martinez, whose spokesperson issued KOB Eyewitness News 4 this written statement: "This is a serious issue and something that anyone with a concealed carry permit has to be especially careful of." A spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, where Tallarico is second in command, confirmed her claim that this was an unintentional mistake. KOB received this written statement: "The oversight was not known to Ms. Tallarico until airport security discovered it. The secretary of DHSEM is aware of the situation and the department is currently conducting a review of all the facts." Tallarico was cooperative with security officers and like any other citizen, was cited for unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, Katz said. Tallarico's gun was taken as evidence. Read more

NM Homeland Security official caught with gun at Sunport