Most offenses involving a firearm have nothing to do with whether or not you intended to use the weapon.  For convicted felons, the mere possession will trigger serious federal charges. Similarly, we have successfully represented many businessmen who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon, but completely forgot that their gun was in their travel bag when going through a restricted area.

If you are at the airport and forget about your gun until it's too late, you will be arrested and charged with a felony. Because the offense was committed once you entered the airport with the weapon, the TSA have no discretion to let you run back to your car and put the gun away. Additionally, TSA will also seek a fine of $3,000.00 - $6,0000.00 for the offense, in addition to the criminal penalties imposed by the State of Texas.

The most common federal firearms offenses are triggered when someone is in possession, including constructive possession or joint possession, of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, under a domestic violence protective order, or while being a drug addict or illegal alien.

While someone might be "rehabilitated" under state law, and thus, entitled under state law to possess a firearm after suffering a felony conviction, federal law trumps and will make the possession a federal crime nonetheless (except under very rare and limited circumstances).  Federal law also makes it a crime to purchase a firearm for someone who is a felon.  Under federal law, the ban on firearms also includes a ban on ammunition and possession of any ammunition will trigger the same penalties which include up to ten years in prison under normal circumstances, or life, under certain enhancement provisions.