# The guy in front of me at airport security this morning had an AK47 in his carry on. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 20, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895 "2011-09-20T01:49:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/41 "2011-09-20T14:18:17Z")
You could shove the ammo up your butt no problem, but the rest are kinda “edgy,” if you catch my drift. Makes removal later a bit “awkward” to say the least. Besides, if several people ping the metal detector and they all have indications of metal in the same area, I think even the brain-dead morons of the TSA will figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/42 "2011-09-20T14:23:43Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > But I’ve heard/read about guns that can be dissassembled into many different parts, some (or most?) of them aren’t even metal. Say you had 4 different people who wanted to get a gun through security. Would it be possible for them to break the gun up into all the little pieces between their different carry-on luggage, and get it through? Or would at least one of the pieces be so recognizeable as a piece of a gun that it would never make it through. I’m certain this would be sucessful, as long as they tried it more than once. I don’t think shoving anything up your but would be necessary. [The Things He Carried](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/11/the-things-he-carried/7057/) _Atlantic Monthly_ journalist openly carries contraband items through airport security, such as box curtters, knives and scissors of various sorts, multitools, liquids and pastes of various sorts, and my own personal favorites, a Hezbollah flag, which he helpfully pointed out to security, and a t-shirt reading “Osama Bin Laden, hero of Islam.” He also passed security with forged boarding passes. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/43 "2011-09-20T14:24:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You could shove the ammo up your butt no problem, but the rest are kinda “edgy,” if you catch my drift. Makes removal later a bit “awkward” to say the least. Besides, if several people ping the metal detector and they all have indications of metal in the same area, I think even the brain-dead morons of the TSA will figure it out. You know, I used to always have a lot of respect for TSA people. I thought they had good training, had to be somewhat intelligent and proud of their country, etc… but after having flown a few times in the last few years… I have found that most of them are really rude, if not flat out mean and vapid. I am always overtly friendly and smile and thank them, and most of the time they couldn’t care less. If they hate their jobs so much, they should just quit. Are they instructed to act like assholes? Is this part of the job? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/44 "2011-09-20T14:32:44Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Well clearly the guy’s daughter has been kidnapped by Colombian drug to lords to ensure his participation in one last billion dollar scheme, But after escaping from the henchmen guarding him he was on his way to kick some ass in the evil fortified compound. American TSA would understand this situation immediately of course and expedite him sneaking onto some hot babe’s private jet to South America, but I guess you nanny-state socialists up there actually make him show paperwork? :mad: At least we know why he’s out of bubblegum. Probably confiscated _that_ too. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/45 "2011-09-20T15:31:14Z")
**drewtwo99** , this is antecdotal, but my husband, who is in the Air Force, used to work with a guy who tried to take part of some antique gun onto a plane. I seem to remember it being in his checked luggage, but that may be wrong. He got into all kinds of trouble for it, and was reprimanded at work as well. I’m also pretty sure that you’re not allowed to take a replica of a gun onto a plane, either. I doubt you’d get a water gun through security. I know they confiscated a mostly-empty, see-through 3.5 oz bottle of lotion from me a while back. Bastards. I liked that lotion. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/46 "2011-09-20T15:51:08Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > It may not have actually been an AK47. Airport security uses the same firearms identification charts as [journalists](http://kingshamus.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/official.jpg). I have to ask what that “AK-47” is that looks like a giant bottle opener. Second down on the left, below the “M-16”, above the “AK-47” machine gun and to the left of the “AK-47” sub-machine gun. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/47 "2011-09-20T16:05:26Z")
It’s my understanding that certain department of defense and other federal law enforcement and military intelligence types are still allowed to carry firearms in their carry-on bags, or even travel fully armed, with the right paperwork. Depending on what ‘paperwork’ the traveler in the OP claims to have he might have authorization to carry a firearm in his carry on bag. I’m not sure how it works in Canada. > [@](#): > > c. Carrying Firearms Aboard Commercial or Military Aircraft > (1) Commercial Aircraft. DoD personnel shall comply with applicable provisions of sections 1540.111 and 1544.219 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (Reference (p)), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations and guidance. > (a) DoD personnel authorized to carry a firearm aboard commercial aircraft shall meet the requirements of section 1544.219 of Reference (p). For training requirements and other information, contact the TSA Contact Center at [www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/traveling\_with\_guns.shtm](http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/traveling_with_guns.shtm). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/48 "2011-09-20T16:10:37Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I have to ask what that “AK-47” is that looks like a giant bottle opener. Second down on the left, below the “M-16”, above the “AK-47” machine gun and to the left of the “AK-47” sub-machine gun. [FN P90](http://world.guns.ru/smg/be/fn-p90-e.html)Personal Defense Weapon. The latest in a long line of AK-47 clones. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/49 "2011-09-20T16:33:24Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > **drewtwo99** , this is antecdotal, but my husband, who is in the Air Force, used to work with a guy who tried to take part of some antique gun onto a plane. I seem to remember it being in his checked luggage, but that may be wrong. He got into all kinds of trouble for it, and was reprimanded at work as well.. On xray at the airport one day I saw a pistol cross my screen. I stopped the conveyer and had someone check the bag. Turned out some woman was taking some antique guns home with her. She didn’t understand why she either had to check them or leave them with us to dispose of. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/50 "2011-09-20T16:35:52Z")
I miss all the fun at YYC! I’m just going to get grouchy AC flight attendants when I fly on Sunday; assuming I can fly on Sunday. And here’s me double and triple checking to see if I can bring my crochet hook on board… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/51 "2011-09-20T17:51:07Z")
> [@the\_Lady](#): > > I miss all the fun at YYC! I’m just going to get grouchy AC flight attendants when I fly on Sunday; assuming I can fly on Sunday. > And here’s me double and triple checking to see if I can bring my crochet hook on board… I flew with knitting needles about 3 years ago with no worries at all. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are officially ‘OK’ on that listy thing they give out. (Although it did give the TSA pause while she tried to figure out what they were). ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/52 "2011-09-20T18:58:01Z")
My brother in law is a federal leo. He is allowed to carry a firearm on a planes in the US. He does not use the same security line as the general public, he goes through security at a secondary location. He is still not allowed to have more than 3 oz of liquid in his carry-on bags. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/53 "2011-09-20T19:09:37Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > It may not have actually been an AK47. Airport security uses the same firearms identification charts as [journalists](http://kingshamus.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/official.jpg). {Checks list}Yup, yup, those look about right. 🙂 > [@Renee](#): > > \I know they confiscated a mostly-empty, see-through 3.5 oz bottle of lotion from me a while back. Bastards. I liked that lotion. They always take my fruit when I cross the border. Bastards indeed. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/54 "2011-09-20T19:54:35Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > They always take my fruit when I cross the border. Bastards indeed. :mad: If you don’t want to have your fruit taken when you cross the border, then don’t take fruit with you when you cross the border. Sorry, seen too many of those commercials lately. (“If you don’t want to pay chequing fees, then don’t pay chequing fees.”) 🙂 Seriously, the US does not allow travellers to import agricultural products. [Cite](http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/arriving_travelers.xml). Which is kind of ironic, because a lot of agricultural products we buy in Canada either come from the US originally, or at least transited the US: all kinds of produce, for example, or what we cannot grow in season. But, rules are rules, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/55 "2011-09-20T20:01:54Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > **drewtwo99** , this is antecdotal, but my husband, who is in the Air Force, used to work with a guy who tried to take part of some antique gun onto a plane. I seem to remember it being in his checked luggage, but that may be wrong. He got into all kinds of trouble for it, and was reprimanded at work as well. > > I’m also pretty sure that you’re not allowed to take a replica of a gun onto a plane, either. I doubt you’d get a water gun through security. I know they confiscated a mostly-empty, see-through 3.5 oz bottle of lotion from me a while back. Bastards. I liked that lotion. 25 years before 9/11, on the way back from Disney, airport security pulled a 3 inch long plastic model of a flintlock pistol (the bottom right Glock on the journalist’s guide) out of one of our carryon bags & made us check it. Luckily we had already packed the full size wood & metal flintGlocks in the luggage. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/56 "2011-09-20T20:10:34Z")
> [@Minnie\_Luna](#): > > My brother in law is a federal leo. He is allowed to carry a firearm on a planes in the US. He does not use the same security line as the general public, he goes through security at a secondary location. He is still not allowed to have more than 3 oz of liquid in his carry-on bags. I find this ironically hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/57 "2011-09-20T20:28:43Z")
Can I piggyback on this real quick? I have an antique metal elephant that weighs maybe 5 lbs and is about 10" tall that I want to bring to my sister, who I’m flying to visit next week. I was planning on just taking a carry-on for the trip. Are they going to let me bring this through, or throw a fit about a bludgeoning device or some crap? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/58 "2011-09-20T20:31:46Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I flew with knitting needles about 3 years ago with no worries at all. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are officially ‘OK’ on that listy thing they give out. (Although it did give the TSA pause while she tried to figure out what they were). Actually they are “officially ok but they can be confiscated at any time in the infinite discretion of TSA agents to halt the spread of crafts.” [To ensure travelers’ security, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) may determine that an item not on the Prohibited Items List is prohibited](http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm). The AK-47 & Glock diagram was lolz. I especially liked the Bang! toy gun (“Glock”). ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/59 "2011-09-20T20:37:56Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Can I piggyback on this real quick? I have an antique metal elephant that weighs maybe 5 lbs and is about 10" tall that I want to bring to my sister, who I’m flying to visit next week. I was planning on just taking a carry-on for the trip. Are they going to let me bring this through, or throw a fit about a bludgeoning device or some crap? Is it an Arabian elephant? “Please step this way.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895/60 "2011-09-20T20:45:30Z")
Ooh, that fer sure one you don’t want to shove up your ass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guy-in-front-of-me-at-airport-security-this-morning-had-an-ak47-in-his-carry-on/596895.md?page=4)