
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-56 Section 810(g)]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-56 Section 811(j)]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-71 Section 140(d)(8)]
[CITE: 49USC46505]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                     SUBTITLE VII--AVIATION PROGRAMS
 
                     PART A--AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY
 
                  subpart iv--enforcement and penalties
 
     CHAPTER 465--SPECIAL AIRCRAFT JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES
 
Sec. 46505. Carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft

    (a) Definition.--In this section, ``loaded firearm'' means a starter 
gun or a weapon designed or converted to expel a projectile through an 
explosive, that has a cartridge, a detonator, or powder in the chamber, 
magazine, cylinder, or clip.
    (b) General Criminal Penalty.--An individual shall be fined under 
title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both, if the 
individual--
        (1) when on, or attempting to get on, an aircraft in, or 
    intended for operation in, air transportation or intrastate air 
    transportation, has on or about the individual or the property of 
    the individual a concealed dangerous weapon that is or would be 
    accessible to the individual in flight;
        (2) has placed, attempted to place, or attempted to have placed 
    a loaded firearm on that aircraft in property not accessible to 
    passengers in flight; or
        (3) has on or about the individual, or has placed, attempted to 
    place, or attempted to have placed on that aircraft, an explosive or 
    incendiary device.

    (c) Criminal Penalty Involving Disregard for Human Life.--An 
individual who willfully and without regard for the safety of human 
life, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, violates 
subsection (b) of this section, shall be fined under title 18, 
imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.
    (d) Nonapplication.--Subsection (b)(1) of this section does not 
apply to--
        (1) a law enforcement officer of a State or political 
    subdivision of a State, or an officer or employee of the United 
    States Government, authorized to carry arms in an official capacity;
        (2) another individual the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
    Administration by regulation authorizes to carry a dangerous weapon 
    in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; or
        (3) an individual transporting a weapon (except a loaded 
    firearm) in baggage not accessible to a passenger in flight if the 
    air carrier was informed of the presence of the weapon.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1244; Pub. L. 104-
132, title VII, Sec. 705(b), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1295.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
46505(a)..............................  49 App.:1472(l)(4).              Aug. 2
3, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                                                          731, 
Sec.  902(l)(4); added Feb. 18,
                                                                          1980,
 Pub. L. 96-193, Sec.  502(c), 94
                                                                          Stat.
 59.
46505(b)..............................  49 App.:1472(l)(1).              Aug. 2
3, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                                                          731, 
Sec.  902(l)(1); added Sept. 5,
                                                                          1961,
 Pub. L. 87-197, Sec.  1, 75
                                                                          Stat.
 466; Aug. 5, 1974, Pub. L. 93-
                                                                          366, 
Sec.  203, 88 Stat. 417; restated
                                                                          Feb. 
18, 1980, Pub. L. 96-193, Sec.
                                                                          502(a
), 94 Stat. 59; Oct. 12, 1984,
                                                                          Pub. 
L. 98-473, Sec.  2014(c)(1), 98
                                                                          Stat.
 2189.
46505(c)..............................  49 App.:1472(l)(2).              Aug. 2
3, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                                                          731, 
Sec.  902(l)(2); added Sept. 5,
                                                                          1961,
 Pub. L. 87-197, Sec.  1, 75
                                                                          Stat.
 466; restated Aug. 5, 1974, Pub.
                                                                          L. 93
-366, Sec.  203, 88 Stat. 418;
                                                                          Oct. 
12, 1984, Pub. L 98-473, Sec.
                                                                          2014(
c)(2), 98 Stat. 2189.
46505(d)..............................  49 App.:1472(l)(3).              Aug. 2
3, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                                                          731, 
Sec.  902(l)(3); added Sept. 5,
                                                                          1961,
 Pub. L. 87-197, Sec.  1, 75
                                                                          Stat.
 466; restated Aug. 5, 1974, Pub.
                                                                          L. 93
-366, Sec.  203, 88 Stat. 418;
                                                                          Feb. 
18, 1980, Pub. L. 96-193, Sec.
                                                                          502(b
), 94 Stat. 59.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (a), the definition of ``firearm'' is merged with the 
definition of ``loaded firearm'' because the term ``firearm'' is only 
used in the defined term ``loaded firearm''.
    In subsections (b) and (c), the words ``fined under title 18'' are 
substituted for ``fined not more than $10,000'' and ``fined not more 
than $25,000'' for consistency with title 18.
    In subsections (b)(1) and (d)(2), the words ``deadly or'' are 
omitted as surplus.
    In subsection (b)(2), the words ``baggage or other'' are omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (b)(3), the words ``bomb or similar'' are omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (d)(1), the words ``State or political subdivision of 
a State'' are substituted for ``municipal or State government'' for 
consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United 
States Code. The words ``or required'' are omitted as surplus.
    In subsection (d)(3), the word ``contained'' is omitted as surplus.


                               Amendments

    1996--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104-132, Sec. 705(b)(1), substituted ``10 
years'' for ``one year''.
    Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-132, Sec. 705(b)(2), substituted ``15 
years'' for ``5 years''.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 46302, 46507 of this title; 
title 18 sections 2333, 3286.
