FireMadison.com Calls For Criminal Investigation of NC11 Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s Alleged Violation of Yet Another Weapons Statute, This Time On Educational Property

Download the press release PDF, with attachments including letter and photos

Left panel: Madison Cawthorn speaking at the Henderson County Board of Education meeting on Sept. 13th (courtesy Jay Carey). Middle panel:Enlargement of alleged knife mounted beneath seat. Right panel: Microtech SBD dagger, displaying its distinctive handle.

UPDATED 9/15/21 10:55 AM ET: Henderson County Sheriff's Office public information officer Johnny Duncan Jr. has responded by email to our request for an investigation of Madison Cawthorn: "We are aware of the allegations and the photographs that have been distributed concerning Representative Cawthorn. We will release further information as it becomes available."

UPDATED 9/17/21 5:58 PM ET: Henderson County Sheriff's Office announces "The Henderson County Public Schools Administrative Office building has now been clearly marked as an educational facility which prohibits weapons on or in the property at all times. Congressman Cawthorn is now aware that the administrative offices of the school system is considered educational property and NO WEAPONS are allowed," apparently indicating that no charges will be brought against Cawthorn.

Spruce Pine, NC, Sept. 14 2021 – Photographs taken by NC11 Democratic candidate Jay Carey, and circulating today on social media, are purported to show a sheath knife hidden within easy reach of his assistant on NC11 Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s wheelchair during his appearance Monday at the Henderson County School Board meeting, held at the Henderson County Public Schools Administrative Offices in Hendersonville, NC.

NC Statute § 14-269.2 states, in part: “It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any [...] bowie knife, dirk, dagger [...] or any sharp-pointed or edged instrument [...] on educational property.” The statute further defines “educational property” as “property owned, used, or operated by any board of education or school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of any school.”

“This appears to be Rep. Cawthorn’s second serious violation of significant weapons laws since he was sworn into office, coming as it does on the heels of a February incident in which the TSA discovered a 9mm handgun and ammunition illegally secreted in Cawthorn’s unsecured carry- on luggage as he attempted to board a commercial flight,” commented David Wheeler, President of American Muckrakers PAC and FireMadison.com.

Wheeler went on to say “Cawthorn’s flagrant and repeated violations of weapons laws present a clear and present danger to the public. I have therefore today filed calls with the Henderson and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office, for a criminal investigation into this incident and, if warranted, appropriate actions against Cawthorn including referral to the District Attorney’s office for trial. Armed criminals – even if they’re members of Congress – must not be allowed to endanger our airports and schools.”

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