Madison Cawthorn won't be charged for knife at Henderson County school board meeting

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn won't be charged by the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for having a knife on school property earlier this week, according to HCSO Public Information Officer Johnny Duncan.

N.C. 11th District candidate Jay Carey shared photos on social media of a knife tucked underneath the seat of Cawthorn's wheelchair during the Henderson County Board of Education's Sept. 13 meeting.  

The Super PAC FireMadison.com posted a picture of the handle next to an image of a knife made by the Mills River company Microtech. The handle looks the same as Microtech's "SBD" knife.

"Although unacceptable, occasionally a person inadvertently possesses a knife on educational property or other property where such possession is prohibited," Duncan wrote in a news release.

In another weapons incident earlier this year, Cawthorn attempted to board a plane Feb. 13 at Asheville Regional Airport when Transportation Security Administration workers found an unloaded gun in his carry-on bag, along with a loaded magazine, according to airport officials.

Additionally, Cawthorn said he was armed inside the U.S. Capitol during the building's Jan. 6 storming by supporters of former President Donald Trump. 

As for the school board incident, under state law, officers are allowed to use discretion concerning most misdemeanor offenses, according to Duncan. 

"It is not uncommon for a HCSO Deputy Sheriff to issue a verbal warning and have the knife and or person removed from the premises," Duncan wrote. 

The Henderson County Public Schools Administrative Office building is now clearly marked as an educational facility where weapons are prohibited. Cawthorn is also now aware that the building is considered educational property, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Weapons are prohibited on all school campuses and properties owned and/or operated by school systems in North Carolina.