Second Handgun in 2 Weeks Found in Carry-On Bag at Midway Airport in Chicago

TSA said this is the sixth weapon discovered in carry-on luggage at Midway Airport this year

A 35-year-old man was arrested at Midway International Airport Monday after a firearm was found in his carry-on luggage, authorities said.

It's the second gun discovered in a person's carry-on bag at the airport in less than two weeks and the sixth so far this year.

The Transportation Security Administration said it found the loaded 9mm Desert Eagle firearm at a security checkpoint and alerted local police.

The man, identified as Kevin Champion of Clarkston, Georgia, was charged with a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed firearm at an airport.

Champion was flying from Midway to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, authorities said.

On Aug. 7 an Aurora man flying from Chicago to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was arrested after a .380-caliber Lorcin Arms firearm was found in his carry-on luggage.

He was charged with a felony count of trying to board an aircraft with a weapon and a misdemeanor count of possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

Fines range from $1,500 to $11,000 for a single civil penalty for firearms brought to a security checkpoint.

TSA has detected more than 1,000 firearms across the country so far this year.

Contact Us