Sheriff In Nancy Guthrie Case Brought Loaded Firearm To Tucson Airport
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing mounting questions after a troubling airport incident resurfaced alongside a separate investigation that has already raised concerns about his conduct in office.
According to a report from Fox News, Nanos was stopped by TSA agents at a Tucson-area airport security checkpoint after allegedly carrying a loaded, undeclared firearm in his carry-on luggage—an oversight that critics say would have led to far more serious consequences for an ordinary citizen.
The controversy comes as an independent probe into workplace conduct within the Pima County Sheriff’s Department concluded that the “preponderance of the evidence” suggests Nanos used his office for political purposes during a tightly contested 2024 race against former lieutenant Heather Lappin.
During that campaign, Tucson resident Cory Stephens publicly raised alarms, addressing the county board of supervisors on November 12, 2024. Stephens argued that the sheriff appeared to receive preferential treatment following the airport incident.
“If a private citizen had encountered that at the airport, the consequences would have been greater,” Stephens told Fox News Digital.
Stephens, who leads the Conservative Coalition of America, said she learned of the incident through local reporting and was struck by what she described as a lack of accountability or widespread public scrutiny. Her remarks highlight a growing frustration among residents who believe there is a double standard when it comes to those in positions of power.
“We as citizens want answers,” Stephens said. “The safety of our community is at stake.”
She further emphasized that a law enforcement official should be fully aware of federal travel regulations. “As a law enforcement officer, he should know the TSA rules, how to declare a weapon, secure it and follow the same rules as everyone else,” she added.
According to Fox News, TSA agents discovered the firearm during routine screening. The weapon reportedly contained five rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Nanos was allowed to return the firearm to his personal vehicle and later board another flight—fueling criticism that the situation was handled with unusual leniency.
James Gagliano, a retired FBI agent and Fox News contributor, expressed surprise at the incident, noting that law enforcement officers have clear procedures for legally traveling with firearms. “You declare yourself as a law enforcement officer ahead of time,” he said.
Standard TSA protocol requires coordination between the agency and the officer’s department, typically allowing active-duty personnel to travel with firearms under strict guidelines. However, in this case, the firearm was discovered only after passing through an X-ray machine at Tucson International Airport’s B Concourse. The first responding officer reportedly recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest, and a second officer conducted a private screening.
According to the incident report, Nanos directed the officer to a zippered pocket in his bag, where the loaded handgun was recovered.
The airport controversy is only one piece of a broader pattern of scrutiny surrounding the sheriff. Nanos has also faced criticism tied to the unresolved disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, as well as lawsuits from current and former deputies and allegations that he previously made inaccurate statements under oath regarding disciplinary matters.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie returned to her hosting duties on Today this week, briefly acknowledging her absence.
“Good morning, welcome to TODAY on this Monday morning,” she said. “We are so glad you started your week with us, and it is good to be home.”
Her co-host Craig Melvin welcomed her back, saying, “Yes, it is good to have you back at home,” before the program resumed its regular broadcast.
As scrutiny intensifies, critics argue that the situation underscores a deeper issue: whether those entrusted with enforcing the law are being held to the same standards as the citizens they serve.