In lots of states its real easy to carry. Even concealed. In AL, people carry everywhere, every way, and they would consider carrying an unloaded firearm pretty useless. So I could see someone forgetting. I'm not excusing it. There is no excuse. I'm also not playing at any politics here, just making a statement. I'm from NJ even though I now live in AL, so it's one of those things I recognize is simply different from where I grew up.
I will say though, that as someone who has never carried, people here in AL often find it strange. My wife's car was broken into and her purse was stolen. When the police officer arrived he could not believe we were not reporting a stolen gun from the break in. Asked several times and even reminded us several times that not reporting a stolen weapon is a crime. We had to convince him we were not, and never had been, gun owners and, therefore, there was no gun to steal in the car.
So yeah, depending on where you are from, having a gun in your bag can be as common as your wallet or makeup. Again, not an excuse. But when you put it in perspective, the TSA confiscates on average more than 10 firearms per day in airport checks. The vast majority are loaded. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more at Disney given the short driving distance from many easy carry states.
As for trying to go through the no bag line... well... that definitely does add to the suspicions...
