Family raises more than $12K hoping to bring grandmother home for the Christmas—Oklahoma woman jailed after ‘forgetting’ loaded gun in purse

Relatives of a 69-year-old grandmother jailed, are pleading for compassion after she was sentenced to 24 months in prison for possession of a loaded firearm found in her purse at the Nassau Cruise Port.

Mary Robinson, of Oklahoma, was arrested last Tuesday while attempting to board the Liberty of the Seas. Security officers discovered a loaded .380 pistol inside her handbag, a weapon her family says she simply forgot was there.

“I’m asking anyone or everyone to help out if they can. I know holidays are so close but if anyone can help we would appreciate it so much,” her grand daughter Gracie Exendine pleaded.

Robinson, who was traveling with her 12-year-old grandson, told authorities she normally carries the gun for personal protection at home and leaves it in her vehicle before travel. But, according to relatives, this time she forgot it was still in her purse.

After she was unable to pay the $8,000 fine, she was taken to the Bahamas Department of Corrections last Thursday to begin a two-year sentence.

Gracie launched a GoFundMe campaign, writing that Robinson “needs a miracle” and begging for help to bring her home in time for the Christmas holidays. The campaign has since raised more than $12,000.

According to the Nassau Guardian, Robinson’s attorney, Bjorn Ferguson, argued in court that she has “a touch of dementia” and struggled during her initial detention, claiming she “had to contend with very aggressive rats” at the Central Police Station.

He also told the court that Robinson was legally licensed to carry the weapon in the United States and that the gun had been a gift given to her more than 50 years ago. Ferguson says the incident was an honest mistake.

Her relatives say they are desperate to get her home.