CHICAGO - TSA officers today discovered a firearm at the security checkpoint at Midway International Airport (MDW). This is the third firearm detected in carry-on luggage at MDW in less than a week.
The latest firearm was discovered at approximately 7:45 a.m CDT on Tuesday, July 18. TSA officers spotted the.380 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm in a New Orleans-bound passenger’s carry-on luggage as it was screened at the checkpoint. When discovered, TSA immediately notified local law enforcement, who responded to the checkpoint to interview the individual and take possession of the firearm. The 34-year-old male passenger was arrested on a state charge.
On Monday, July 17, a loaded.380 caliber Beretta firearm was discovered at approximately 8 a.m. CDT. The firearm was discovered in the carry-on luggage of a 41-year-old male passenger traveling to Philadelphia. The passenger was arrested on a state charge.
On Thursday, July 13, a loaded.380 caliber Sig Sauer firearm was discovered at approximately 5:30 a.m. CDT. The Kansas City-bound passenger was arrested on a state charge.
The detection of these weapons brings the total number of firearms to 12 so far this year at MDW. In 2016, TSA detected 16 firearms at MDW. There have been 21 firearm discovered so far this year at O’Hare.
TSA reminds passengers that they are solely responsible for the contents of bags brought to the airport checkpoint.
Individuals who bring firearms to security checkpoints are referred to law enforcement and may be subject to criminal penalties by local law enforcement. TSA imposes civil penalties ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 for a single violation of a firearm brought to a security checkpoint. TSA continues to intercept firearms and other dangerous weapons at security checkpoints nationwide. The number of firearms detected at the checkpoint continues to rise nationwide. TSA discovered more than 3,390 firearms at checkpoints across the nation in 2016.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
