Guns at O'Hare are disappearing firearms being stolen from checked bags

The Chicago Tribune ^ | August | David Heinzmann and Josh Noel

[LurkedLongEnough]

Several handguns have been stolen from bags checked by police officers, military personnel and others on United Airlines flights departing O'Hare International Airport, sparking concern that the weapons are loose in what is supposed to be a secure part of the airport.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been "a handful" of firearm thefts from luggage being handled by United personnel, Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said. Bags containing guns also have disappeared, authorities said.

News of an investigation surfaced days after new security restrictions were placed on airports across the nation in the wake of British authorities foiling what they said was a plot to blow up U.S.-bound airplanes.

Aviation security experts said stealing from checked luggage long has been a problem at many airports and that guns are a favored target because they are easy to smuggle out and easy to sell.

Still another concern is that putting something into a bag could be just as easy as taking an item out, experts said.

"It's a problem at every airline and every airport," said aviation security consultant Douglas Laird.

[Right Wing Assault]

I really hope that is NOT a typo, because it is a GREAT idea as typed"

Hey! That works. Have a radio receiver hooked up. Guy opens the case and BANG! "Hands up, buddy!" Oops, I reversed the order there.

[SauronOfMordor]

The last time I flew with my guns, they had to be declared and locked in a FAA approved hard case made specifically for carrying firearms. Very easy to spot one.

Last time I flew with my handgun, it was in a hard case, and the hard case placed inside regular luggage with no external tag identifying a firearm inside

[BadAndy]

"Since the bags MUST have a big bold tag on the outside declaring the firearm, it makes em easy to steal."

The last time I flew with guns (1980s) it was required that a big orange tag be attached to the bag but not that the tag be on the outside of the bag. I confirmed this with the airline then stuck the tag inside the bag.

I once had a ruger redhawk 44 mag in a checked bag and had to show it to the baggage claim girl to prove the thing was unloaded. It attracted quite a bit of attention since it was considered a huge handgun during those days.

[Ditto]

O'hare is the #1 stolen baggage Airport in the US.

Hard to believe it's worse than JFK.

[CheneyChick]

You know you have to leave all your baggage unlocked when you board?

They now make TSA locks with a SearchAlert feature that shows if your luggage has been searched by TSA. It adds a little measure of security, rather than leaving everything completely unlocked and being too easy to mess with.

Luggage checked at an Airport is sent through an electronic screening. If a TSA agent determines the luggage needs to be hand searched, the SearchAlert lock will be opened by the TSA agent. When the TSA secured access device is used, the SearchAlert window changes color from Green to Red. The SearchAlert window should also change color if the luggage lock is tampered. If a TSA Agent hand searches a piece of luggage, the agent should leave a TSA Notification of Baggage Inspection in the bag. If the SearchAlert lock Security Window shows red, and no official Notification of Baggage Inspection is found, the traveler should take the luggage to the airlines baggage services office to determine if items are missing items have been added to the luggage.

[Conservative_Rob]

Now that every bag will have to be checked, what's a law abiding patriotic American to do????

Pretty soon all flights will be done in the nude.

[OldFriend]

I thought JFK airport in NY had that dubious distinction.

[Atlas Sneezed]

FYI for those checking handguns. I recently learned that (at least at some airports) they no longer ask you to demonstrate that the gun is unloaded. Apparently, after somebody put a hole in the counter, they realized it was safer just to let it remain in the case.

[art_rocks]

I'm sure that would be against union rules.

I remember watching 20/20back in the 80s and there was some major jewelry thefts from the Post Office in NYC. It was captured on video and the union said that was unfair.

[art_rocks]

I wouldn't say that. Im sure there were lots of honorable people who joined after 9/11 because they wanted to make a difference.

Im sure those who cared have left now or quit soon after being hired.

[ut1992]

I concur. I fly in/out of O'hare all the time. Back when I was a "real" road-warrior I'd fly in/out up two times a week.

Before 9/11 I'd put "valuable" items in my checked luggage but always had a locks; I knew these locks were only to keep an honest man honest.

Post-9/11 I stopped putting anything valuable in my checked luggage. I still put locks on, but would "walk" the suitcase to the screening point, then ask the TSA guy/gal if I could put the lock back on after screening. They always were pretty friendly and would put the lock back on in front of me.

However, on one flight to Europe from O'hare I get to my hotel and notice that the lock is gone and someone had heisted my "ditty" bag. I guess someone really needed by disposable razors, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, aspirins and etc. I was pretty pissed because I wanted to freshen up after the long flight, but first had to go the the store.

[Publius6961]

If guns are a popular item, just wait until laptops are required to be checked in...

[yobid]

I do the same, though the (my) case is obvious if you now guns.

[AFreeBird]

Apparently, after somebody put a hole in the counter, they realized it was safer just to let it remain in the case.

Somebody THAT STUPID, should have had their ticket refunded, and pointed towards the doors with directions to the nearest bus terminal.

[verity]

"Several handguns"

How many is 'several'?

[Richard-SIA]

LOL!

You ARE funny!

We can't even ensure they are CITIZENS, how are we going to get away with any effort to ensure honesty?

You have failed your PC test, report to re-education camp immediately.

[WhiteGuy]

our tsa at work.....................

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Items stolen can be replaced but if they can take stuff out , they can easily put stuff in.

Finally! The criminals and cretins with access badges to "sterile" areas are the problem. I have traveled overseas, a fair amount. You would be amazed at how many people wind up being mules for drugs and weapons in checked baggage, and never even know it. Until you ask the customs inspector why there are coffee grounds spilled all over in your luggage that the dog hit on. I know that people have gone to prison for what others put in the luggage. Granted, these organized criminals do not want to interrupt their traffic flow with a bombing. But a disagreement between competitors could lead to anything.....

[ARealMothersSonForever]

I have studied anti-2nd language in the press.
"several"= 7 or 8
"handful"= 5 or 6
"few" = 2 to 4
"arsenal"= almost as many shooters and traders as the wife allows.