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Chicago Officers Discover Two Guns in Three Days

News & Happenings

August 27, 2008

Within three days this summer, three security officers discovered two guns at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

On Aug. 2, a passenger was arrested for attempting to carry a .25 caliber firearm through the checkpoint. During on-the-job training with TSO Jessica Buelow at the X-ray machine, TSO Nikki Cosentino discovered the firearm. The passenger was arrested by Chicago police, charged with attempting to board a plane with a weapon and sentenced to 24 months of probation.

Only two days earlier, TSO Renee Green, who has been with TSA since 2002, found a loaded 9-mm semi-automatic weapon in a passenger's carry-on bag. Airport authorities determined the passenger was an off-duty law enforcement officer. He said he forgot about the gun and arrangements were made to pick it up later.

“Both incidents demonstrate the hard work of TSOs and their ability to be an integral part in the many layers of security which keep prohibited items from reaching aircraft,” said Art Bell, assistant federal security director for screening.