CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A Wisconsin Congressional candidate, Gordon Van Orden, was arrested for a loaded handgun in a carry-on bag at the Cedar Rapids airport. Van Orden, a Republican, is running a second time for LaCrosse Democrat Ron Kind’s seat to represent western Wisconsin in Congress. Van Orden is from Hager City on the Mississippi River in Pierce County. The Iowa airport arrest was in August, but it was not reported until a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article this week. Van Orden had not reported the incident publicly. When asked, a campaign aide said the candidate had packed the gun in his carry-on bag by mistake. The aide didn’t address the fact that federal law also forbids loaded firearms in both carry-on and checked baggage. The gun was a loaded 9mm Sig Sauer. A federal agent spotted the gun in a routine security screening checkpoint. Van Orden pleaded guilty in December. A magistrate ordered him to pay $360 and to take a firearms safety course. Van Orden was also fined by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration but the agency didn’t disclose the amount. TSA fines range from $2,050 to $4,100 for an unloaded weapon and $4,100 to $10,250 for a loaded weapon.
Handgun. The Sig Sauer is a compact 9mm semi-automatic pistol that is used mostly as a concealed carry firearm. It is known for smooth crisp trigger that to assist accuracy. The Sauer Sig is used by U.S. Navy Seals for special warfare operators. It’s polymer construction makes it light weight. Van Orden is a retired Seal.
Van Orden. Was on family vacation when caught with Sig Sauer. Unclear why he had the gun on a family vacation. Age: 52.