Industry Focus

Stick ‘Em Up, Partner

The TSA is implementing some pretty amazing technology in order to improve explosives detection. In late August, the agency unveiled a state-of-theart advanced technology computed tomography (CT) checkpoint scanner for screening passengers and their baggage.

“TSA here at Houston Hobby is honored to be among the first airports in the country to test this checkpoint technology,” said Hector Vela, TSA Houston federal security manager. “CT significantly improves our threat detection capabilities, and passengers in the lane where we are testing CT have the added benefit of being able to leave their laptops and larger electronic items in their bags as well.”

This sounds like a step in the right direction, but passengers cannot leave their handguns in carry-on baggage. It is still illegal to carry a gun. Maybe that is why the TSA implemented the technology in Texas in the first place.

Not so fast. In that liberal bastion of the Northeast, TSA confiscated numerous handguns. I thought it worth mentioning because handguns are strictly forbidden on an airplane. August was a busy month for TSA agents searching for weapons.

An Ohio man was stopped by TSA officers at Pittsburgh International Airport Aug. 17 when they detected a loaded handgun in the man’s carry-on bag. The man had a 9mm handgun, with six bullets loaded. This was only one of 21 guns stopped at the checkpoint so far this year. In 2017, TSA officers at the airport caught 32 firearms at the checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900.

Officers at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) stopped a man with a handgun at one of the airport’s checkpoints Aug. 19, marking the 19th gun caught at the airport so far this year. Last year TSA officers detected 26 firearms at the airport’s checkpoints. The man was carrying his .38 caliber and a magazine with five bullets in his carry-on bag.

A TSA officer stopped a man from bringing a loaded handgun onto an airplane at Washington Dulles International Airport on Aug. 22. The TSA officer spotted the gun in the man’s carry-on bag at one of the airport checkpoints when it appeared on the X-ray monitor. The .40 caliber handgun was loaded with 10 bullets. Typically, more than 80 percent of handguns caught at checkpoints nationwide are loaded.

For my fellow travelers, who crisscross the country every day, firearms are still forbidden. It might be a good practice to check your baggage before you leave the house and head off to the airport. You are not likely to hear the TSA agent say, “Stick ‘em up,” but you will be detained for a while.

This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.