# Taking NERF toy gun on plane **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 13, 2007, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220 "2007-11-13T06:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/1 "2007-11-13T06:58:37Z")
I got a silly work-related toy - a NERF dart shooter that has a chamber that shoots six NERF darts without reloading. [Here’s](http://www.adorablekidsdressup.com/Cloud%20Nine%20Images/Shooting_Gallery/Nerf_Maverick.jpg) a similar looking one. Since I’m only in the office for a few days, I only have a carry on bag with me. Should I tell TSA that it’s in there before I put my bag through? Or should I just not worry about it until they scan? I hesitate to say “I have a toy gun” and have it misconstrued, but I also don’t want to nonchalantly put my bag in there w/o saying anything and have them freak out. TSA’s website helpfully says toy guns in carry on luggage is OK if it doesn’t look like a realistic replica. Of course, I’m not sure how “realistic” they’ll think it looks. Has anyone tried to carry on a toy NERF gun like this? ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/2 "2007-11-13T07:18:49Z")
Make sure you enunciate clearly so they don’t think you’re carrying a [HERF](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-energy_radio-frequency_weapons) gun. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/3 "2007-11-13T08:44:55Z")
Just from looking at the pic I think you risk having the toy confiscated. These TSA people are probably going to err on the side of caution and something like that looks like it could easily be modified into something dangerous. If you really want to take it w/ you you might be smart in shipping it via UPS, or Fedex, rather than take the risk of losing it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/4 "2007-11-13T13:30:23Z")
If you do carry it on, I wouldn’t offer them the information unsolicited. Why don’t you just put it in a box, tape it shut, and check it? ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/5 "2007-11-13T13:44:48Z")
I don’t know if this is helpful or not, but here’s a story for ya. I packed a paintball marker in my checked luggage.A friend was meeting me at the airport to give me a ride. He wasn’t at the gate when I got there (this was pre 9/11, you didn’t have to have a plane ticket to get through security and it was normal for friends to meet at the gate), so I continued to baggage claim to get my luggage. I still couldn’t find my friend, so I went back up to the security checkpoint with my suitcase. I asked the security guard if I could go back to the gate to check for my friend, she said I would have to put muy suitcase through the xray machine. As soon as it went through, she freaked out and called more security. Two more guys showed up imediately and opened my suitcase. And remember, this was pre 9/11, so I’m guessing it would be much worse today. What they found looked just like [this](http://i1.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/c2/a7/847b_1.JPG). Now I can see how a paintball marker could be dangerous on a plane. Those paintballs do hurt. But, if you put anything through the X-ray machine that is remotely gun looking, they will see it and likely freak out a bit. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/6 "2007-11-13T14:03:54Z")
I just called TSA (1-866-289-9673). They said that a Nerf gun would have to be checked and declared. ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/7 "2007-11-13T19:18:35Z")
I guess **cornflakes** has the answer, but my guess would be that if you **did** declare it, they’d say “uh, OK, whatever” :rolleyes: and treat you like you’re an idiot for declaring it. But if you **didn’t** declare it, and they found it, they’d make a huge stink about you not declaring it. That’s just how they roll. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/8 "2007-11-13T19:19:23Z")
[QUOTE=cornflakes] I just called TSA (1-866-289-9673). They said that a Nerf gun would have to be checked and declared. [/QUOTE] Holy crap! Above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks! I don’t want to check it since it’s an extremely short flight, so looks like I’m shipping it to me. Thanks again everyone ---
**Author:** ![Chrismoody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@Chrismoody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chrismoody)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/9 "2007-11-13T23:39:56Z")
[QUOTE=cornflakes] I just called TSA (1-866-289-9673). They said that a Nerf gun would have to be checked and declared. [/QUOTE] Yeah… You’re on a list now. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/10 "2007-11-13T23:47:00Z")
From my flying experiences, the Big City TSA dudes interpret the rules as they see fit. Specifically, the rules on removing electronic items from carry on baggage. Not all items must be removed, but this dude in Philly wanted everything out in the open. It was a pain, but go argue with him, right? Even if I could cite the TSA website verbatim, I knew the rules at that moment were whatever HE said the rules were. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/11 "2007-11-14T04:03:43Z")
[QUOTE=Chrismoody] Yeah… You’re on a list now. [/QUOTE] I know… and I’m flying next week. Oh well, come visit me in the terminal. ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/12 "2007-11-14T12:34:40Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] Now I can see how a paintball marker could be dangerous on a plane. Those paintballs do hurt. But, if you put anything through the X-ray machine that is remotely gun looking, they will see it and likely freak out a bit. [/QUOTE] A few years back when i went to bail a few people i was there with brought some BB Guns, now they look realistic. But they just taped them to the side of a hair dry and they got away with it. No one picked up that they had anything. ---
**Author:** ![WoodenTaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@WoodenTaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WoodenTaco)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/13 "2007-11-14T18:29:30Z")
[QUOTE=riker1384] Make sure you enunciate clearly so they don’t think you’re carrying a [HERF](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-energy_radio-frequency_weapons) gun. [/QUOTE] Or a 1920s style… Whew. Caught myself there, I almost dragged this thread down to oblivion. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/14 "2007-11-14T20:01:18Z")
[QUOTE=Morbo] I don’t want to check it since it’s an extremely short flight, so looks like I’m shipping it to me. [/QUOTE] Yeah, that’s what I was going to suggest - they’d probably regard it in the same light as verbal jokes about bombs so put it in a box and mail it to yourself. Don’t take chances, it’s not worth it. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/15 "2007-11-14T22:07:44Z")
[QUOTE=Morbo] Holy crap! Above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks! I don’t want to check it since it’s an extremely short flight, so looks like I’m shipping it to me. Thanks again everyone [/QUOTE] Wouldn’t it be cheaper to throw it away and buy another one when you get home? ---
**Author:** ![adirondack\_mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@adirondack\_mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adirondack_mike)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/16 "2007-11-15T01:41:39Z")
Rule of Thumb - If you have to ask the answer is no. UPS ground for a couple of bucks if the Nerf ® gun has some sentimental value. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-nerf-toy-gun-on-plane/426220/17 "2007-11-15T01:52:25Z")
Dude, where do you work, that you need a nerf gun? And can I come work there?