Coolio Charged with Felony Gun Possession, No-Show in Court

Coolio was just charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, and he's got even more immediate problems ... he didn't show up in court.

The L.A. County D.A. filed the charge after the rapper tried to get a loaded gun through LAX security.

TMZ broke the story ... Coolio was yanked off a plane back in September after TSA found the gun in a book bag ... one of his crew members tried to take the fall, but cops searched the bag and it wasn't hard to determine it was the rapper's.

Coolio's lawyer tried explaining to the judge ... his client had a performance in St. Louis and couldn't make it back in time. The judge just cut Coolio a break. He has to show up October 26th ... or else.

Coolio faces up to 3 years in prison if convicted.