TSA Finds Weapons, Bear Spray and More
- By Matt Holden
- Jul 15, 2014
It may come as no surprise, but bear repellent is just one of the many items that are not allowed on commercial flights in the U.S. TSA released a list of items recently confiscated during security checks, and some of the items are surprising as well as dangerous:
- 42 firearms;
- 74 credit card knives;
- Inert grenades and a live smoke grenade;
- Eight ounces of bear repellent; and
- 17 stun guns.
Of the 42 firearms found, 35 were loaded and nine had rounds in the chamber. Knives were also found in the handles of brushes and combs. The TSA maintains a blog where they give helpful tips to readers on how to avoid getting caught with seemingly obvious items.
“It’s great to share the things that our officers are finding,” stated the most recent blog post. “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.”
For all of 2013, TSA found 1,813 firearms in carry-on bags, 1,477 of which were loaded. Firearms were intercepted at a total of 205 airports, and Atlanta ranked on the top of that list with 111 firearms intercepted.
About the Author
Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.