The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Police Department’s anti-terrorism chief is no longer strapped.
John Miller has turned in the unlicensed handgun that Los Angeles International Airport baggage screeners found in his carryon luggage last month, as well as a second, licensed handgun, authorities said Friday. He also turned in his emergency-equipped SUV.
“He did it voluntarily,” said Sgt. Catherine Plows, a police spokeswoman. “He just thought there was a lot of unnecessary press about it when there didn’t need to be. He just gave them back.”
Miller was on his way to New York to tape a farewell message for Barbara Walters, his former co-host on television’s “20-20,” when the gun was found. The anti-terrorism chief, who said he’d forgotten he had the weapon with him, was allowed to board his flight.
The Police Department had issued him the .38-caliber Smith & Wesson but never registered it as a result of what officials later said was a paperwork glitch. His other department-issued gun, a 9-milimeter Beretta, was registered.
Miller handed both the guns over Friday, along with his department-issued Chevrolet Tahoe, which was equipped with siren and emergency lights.
Local and federal authorities are investigating the gun incident.