TSA Week in Review: November 27th - December 3rd - 86 Firearms, 2 Sword Canes, and More
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TSA discovered 86 firearms over the last week in carry-on bags around the nation. Of the 86 firearms discovered, 73 were loaded and 24 had a round chambered. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers bringing firearms to the checkpoint can be arrested and fined up to $11,000. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms in checked baggage. All of the firearms pictured were discovered over the last week. See complete lists below.
This live smoke and illumination signal flare was discovered in a carry-on bag at Anchorage (ANC). Flares are prohibited from both carry-on and checked bags.
From top to bottom, these sword canes were discovered along with traveler’s carry-on property at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Baltimore (BWI).
From top to bottom, these replica firearms/knives were discovered in carry-on bags at Raleigh Durham (RDU) and Cleveland (CLE). Both replica firearms and knives are not allowed on carry-on bags. They may be packed in checked baggage.
Checkpoint and checked baggage screening acts as a deterrent to keep those with ill will from attempting to cause catastrophic damage to an aircraft. In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly in carry-on bags, our officers also regularly find firearm components, realistic replica firearms, bb and pellet guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, stun guns, small pocket knives and many other prohibited items too numerous to note.
*In order to provide a timely weekly update, this data is compiled from a preliminary report. The year-end numbers will vary slightly from what is reported in the weekly updates. However, any monthly, midyear or end-of-year numbers TSA provides on this blog or elsewhere will be actual numbers and not estimates.
Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is
why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things
that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find
a dangerous item, the line is slowed down and a passenger that likely
had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested.
This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just
because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they
had bad intentions; that's for the law enforcement officer to decide.
In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.
If you haven’t read them yet, make sure you check out our year in
review posts for
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014,
2015 and
2016. And don’t forget to
check out our top 10 most unusual finds of 2016 video!
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Bob Burns