TSA seizes 32 firearms, other weapons in one week in July

[seamusTX]

After a long haiatus I once again find myself frequently enjoying the hospitality of the airline industry and the marvelous efficiency of the TSA.

Anyway, I got to looking at the TSA website. They record every week how many prohibited items they confiscate from travelers attempting to board planes. The week of July 20-26 they seized 32 handguns, 25 of which were loaded. Also they got an interesting belt-buckle knife (shown on the page linked below), several non-functional hand grenades or things that looked like hand grenades, and a jar of peanut butter containing marijuana.

http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/07/tsa-week-in ... ia-of.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently this was just a routine week.

I also learned that the TSA distinguishes between prohibited items unknowingly left in luggage and what they call "artfully concealed."

- Jim

[Nano]

Interesting web site. Thanks

[ffemt300]

Peanut Butter Pot!

[Transplant]

The grenades all look like fakes or practice ones to me...well the first pineapple one in the pic could be real, I cant really tell.

[stealthfightrf17]

A novelty grenade designed to be screwed onto a gearshift was discovered at Des Moines

had to take that, really. What is going to do, produce a fake explosion if he puts in on the planes gear shift.

[ffemt300]

I had one of these that TSA confiscated years ago. It goes on your key ring and has a seatbelt cutter and a window punch for use in case you were in a wreck and needed out. The guy told me I could go put it in my car and return but I didnt want to miss my flight so I gave it up.

[seamusTX]

A novelty grenade designed to be screwed onto a gearshift ... What is going to do, produce a fake explosion if he puts in on the planes gear shift.

Anything that looks like a weapon or explosive can be used for intimidation, hijacking, etc. Back in the days when deranged Cubans were hijacking planes, many of them accomplished hijackings with non-functional guns and fake bombs.

The TSA has a lot of rules that seem ridiculous. I'm no happier about it than the next guy. But I have to say this one makes sense.

- Jim

[Pawpaw]

Peanut Butter Pot!

Gotta have some way to deal with the munchies!

[CowboyEngineer]

Do they sell anything they confiscate?

[seamusTX]

I dunno, but according to the Wall Street Journal, the TSA gives confiscated items to the state in which the stuff was confiscated, and the state can do what it wants. Most of the stuff seems to end up on eBay or at auctions:
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2012/07 ... ems-cheap/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is where Texas gets rid of its surplus:
http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/divisions/su ... tesurplus/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I rather doubt the firearms or illegal items like drugs go that route.

Now you've got me wondering about the live animals that they find occasionally.

- Jim

[jimlongley]

When I was with TSA, I shed a tear or two over guns that I saw confiscated because of the stupidity of their owners. Most of them were not worthy of a second look, but one or two, including an "artfully concealed" NAA mini revolver (which had obviously been cared for and modified) were a shame to see go away to be destroyed.