# What do you do if you find a gun in a plane's bathroom? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711 "2017-05-02T12:42:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/61 "2017-05-03T17:34:02Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > If you’re walking thru the park & find a dead body, do you not call the PD for fear that they’ll think you’re the murderer? > You’re legitimately on the plane (meaning you have purchased a ticket in your name, you’re not a stowaway.) You find something illegal & turn it over to what you believe is an appropriate ‘authority’ (flight attendant) &/or render it unuseable & safe. Why would the feds arrest you? I didn’t say I wouldn’t inform the crew, I said I wouldn’t be putting my hands on it. Man, do you jump to conclusions apropos of nothing. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/62 "2017-05-03T17:37:55Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Maybe I watch too many of the same movies, but my first thought doesn’t run to absent-minded air marshal, but gun planted for terroristic purposes. Lavatory service guy leaves gun(s) for terrorists/hijackers on plane for use in flight. … But in this case we’re halfway through a long flight, umpteen people have already been in and out of that very bathroom, and now you walk in to see a fully assembled gun in holster sitting on the little counter next to the sink. It’s pretty darn obvious sitting there. \*Now \*do you think it was smuggled aboard by some ground worker and spent the last several hours just sitting there waiting to be picked up by the terrorist on board? That makes zero sense. What makes far more sense is that whoever was in the bathroom last carried it in with them and left it there. Whether that person was a good guy or a bad guy and whether leaving it was inadvertent or deliberate are interesting questions with different answers leading to different scenarios & responses. My advice to everyone: leave it undisturbed, guard the door so nobody else gets in there, and notify a flight attendant. Then enjoy watching the ensuing sorta-undercover flail. People saying the government will try to pin it on them are living in some insane paranoid Infowars world. At least as to US authorities. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/63 "2017-05-03T17:38:06Z")
I would look around and see if Bruce Willis is filming Die Hard 8 ( or whatever they are at). ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/64 "2017-05-03T17:46:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Now do you think it was smuggled aboard by some ground worker and spent the last several hours just sitting there waiting to be picked up by the terrorist on board? That makes zero sense. Zero sense except in EVERY HIJACKING MOVIE EVER!!! For all I know, the stewardess is also in league with the terrorists! I’m not taking any chances. If movies have taught me anything, the only reasonable course of action is to commandeer the aircraft until I can sort out who is and who is not a terrorist. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/65 "2017-05-03T17:55:10Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Far be it from me to argue with a superhero, but how do you see events playing out for you after you take possession of the pistol if > [ul] > [li]it does turn out to belong to a sky marshal?[/li][li]it does turn out to belong to a a hijacker/terrorist?[/li][li]it belongs to a hijacker/terrorist who is part of a group of same?[/li][li]it belongs to an LEO who was travelling armed?[/li][/ul] > I’m about as pro-gun as they come, but if any part of events involves you engaging in a firefight inside the plane, I’d prefer you just give the gun to the nice cabin attendant. Sky marshals, as per the article I linked upthread, are arguably ill-trained for the job. You are not even as qualified as they are, most likely. Of course, if it’s one of the hijacker/terrorist cases, how much help is the flight attendant going to be? But I’m all about disregarding those cases. Because presumably if terrorists are planting guns in the plane, they’re not going to leave them somewhere where other passengers will easily happen upon them. Think about what your airplane lavatory looks like. There’s basically (a) surfaces that are in plain sight, and (b) compartments for trash, the paper towel dispenser, etc. If it’s in plain sight, it wasn’t left there by a terrorist, unless it’s one very careless terrorist. And if it’s hidden in a compartment, it wasn’t left there by accident - but then again, you probably didn’t find it. (If I were an airplane maintenance guy, hiding a gun for a terrorist in the lavatory as part of a plot, I’d leave the gun in the bottom of the trash, with a few crumpled paper towels on top to hide any sight of it just in case someone actually looked through that little opening. But way more likely I’d just hide the gun somewhere in the airport, on the air side of TSA. Lots more hiding places.) Of course, none of this would have gone through my mind if I’d actually seen a gun in the lavatory. I’d have just thought “_don’t fucking touch!!!_” and though I’d be trying to control my agitation while trying to signal the flight attendant, I’d probably be standing against the outside of the door as if I’d discovered a giant squid in there, and was trying to keep it from getting into the rest of the plane. Rational thought would only return a considerable time later. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/66 "2017-05-03T19:32:39Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Far be it from me to argue with a superhero, but how do you see events playing out for you after you take possession of the pistol if > [ul] > [li]it does turn out to belong to a sky marshal?[/li][li]it does turn out to belong to a a hijacker/terrorist?[/li][li]it belongs to a hijacker/terrorist who is part of a group of same?[/li][li]it belongs to an LEO who was travelling armed?[/li][/ul] > I’m about as pro-gun as they come, but if any part of events involves you engaging in a firefight inside the plane, I’d prefer you just give the gun to the nice cabin attendant. Sky marshals, as per the article I linked upthread, are arguably ill-trained for the job. You are not even as qualified as they are, most likely. Please reread my post #43 > [@Spiderman](#): > > I’d take it & it wouldn’t leave my possession until we’re on the ground. I’m not trusting anyone to turn it over to, except maybe the pilot. If the plane had wifi, I’d possibly try to connect & contact PD in the destination city to have them meet the plane at the gate/on the tarmac. Scenarios 1 & 4 are the same, air marshals are LEOs - they get a raft of shit after we land & possibly lose their job, but this is more than an “Oops” Scenario 2 - I just (inadvertently) saved everyone. Scenario 3 - Hopefully they abort their plan. However, if a few guys get up & make it reasonably certain that we’re gonna die, I’d do what I can to prevent that (which I would even if unarmed). That does not include shooting the trigger finger off of the terrorist standing in the aisle in the front of first class from the middle seat of Row 37 - this ain’t the movies, yanno. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/67 "2017-05-03T19:49:42Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > … I’d probably be standing against the outside of the door as if I’d discovered a giant squid in there, and was trying to keep it from getting into the rest of the plane. … Great imagery. I’ve had about enough of these MF-ing squids on this MF-ing plane!! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/68 "2017-05-03T19:51:38Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Please reread my post #43 > > Scenarios 1 & 4 are the same, air marshals are LEOs - they get a raft of shit after we land & possibly lose their job, but this is more than an “Oops” > Scenario 2 - I just (inadvertently) saved everyone. > Scenario 3 - Hopefully they abort their plan. However, if a few guys get up & make it reasonably certain that we’re gonna die, I’d do what I can to prevent that (which I would even if unarmed). That does not include shooting the trigger finger off of the terrorist standing in the aisle in the front of first class from the middle seat of Row 37 - this ain’t the movies, yanno. You know what? One of the interesting things about the legal system is that it is able to declare everybody in any given incident to have done wrong. You seem to believe that because the sky marshal fucked up that TPTB will decide it was perfectly okay for you to knowingly and willfully have concealed a loaded handgun on a passenger plane. I would not bet my personal freedom that that they will see things that way. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/69 "2017-05-03T20:01:47Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Zero sense except in EVERY HIJACKING MOVIE EVER!!! > > For all I know, the stewardess is also in league with the terrorists! > > I’m not taking any chances. If movies have taught me anything, the only reasonable course of action is to commandeer the aircraft until I can sort out who is and who is not a terrorist. The ground crew terrorist would find a better place to hide it so that Joe shmo wouldn’t find it. For example you could hide it on top of the stack of paper towels. Nobody would leave it in plain sight. If the stewardess was in on it she would have already retrieved it. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/70 "2017-05-03T20:42:49Z")
I’m picturing the flight attendant coming up. You quietly whisper in her ear “I found something in there you should secure”. She opens the door, sees the gun, and you see her pick it up, rack the slide and expertly holster it. She then pulls off a RUBBER MASK and you see a far more attractive woman who is a known INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST. She rips off her flight attendant top to reveal a tactical vest with body armor. Before you can react, she’s NINJA CHOPPED you and you’re down on the ground, as simultaneously the other terrorists get up from their seats and commandeer the plane… ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/71 "2017-05-03T22:51:59Z")
I had a mildly similar experience once: I found a US Secret Service badge in the men’s room at an airport FBO (Fixed Base Operator: an outfit that provides services to private aircraft - in this case, numerous bizjets each day). This was a very high quality item - looked like it could not have cost less than $500 to make. It had a number, but no name. I dutifully turned it in to the manager of airport security. He thanked me and explained that ex-President Clinton had been through there the day before, accompanied by the usual crew of SS agents. He took my name and phone number, and said that it should be little trouble to turn the number into the agent’s name. I kinda felt I was owed a thank-you by the nameless agent, but never heard a further word. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/72 "2017-05-03T22:57:42Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > So what happens when the air marshall realizes that the gun is missing and has everyone on board the plane strip searched? Then My job is done, said marshall has just publicly declared “_ **I lost my weapon in a public airplane** _” Welcome to walmart, can i get a cart for you? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/73 "2017-05-04T01:36:51Z")
I’d flatten myself against a wall, knowing that Chuck Norris would be crashing through momentarily, duking it out with a foreigner twice his size. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/74 "2017-05-04T01:41:42Z")
The absolutely vital question is, can I pee first? ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/75 "2017-05-04T02:55:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > The absolutely vital question is, can I pee first? Just make sure to check the toilet for snakes before you do. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/76 "2017-05-04T05:54:15Z")
For the “hey, free gun!” Crowd: unless the plane is in your state, you’d be committing a federal offense by acquiring a gun outside of your state and not from a FFL. Even in-state, it being a handgun requires you undergoing a background check before transfer for a number of you, depending on residence. Also, “keep all but the firing pin, so it’s non-functional” doesn’t (pardon the pun) fly. If the receiver is present, it’s a firearm. IANAL so forgive me if I interpreted incorrectly, and feel free to correct. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/77 "2017-05-04T14:55:15Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > For the “hey, free gun!” Crowd: unless the plane is in your state, you’d be committing a federal offense by acquiring a gun outside of your state and not from a FFL. Even in-state, it being a handgun requires you undergoing a background check before transfer for a number of you, depending on residence. > > Also, “keep all but the firing pin, so it’s non-functional” doesn’t (pardon the pun) fly. If the receiver is present, it’s a firearm. > > IANAL so forgive me if I interpreted incorrectly, and feel free to correct. There are some caveats to your interpretation of Federal law IRT transferring a firearm, but it’s functionally close enough. State laws also matter - and are often much more restrictive. Not to mention the full body search that the occupants of the aircraft will undergo upon landing, until the firearm is recovered… Gunna be a LOT of angry passengers around you… Correct, on the ‘what makes a firearm a firearm’ bit; the serialized frame or reciever is the legal firearm, save for a few specialized circumstances (Sig Sauer P-320, for instance - the fire control group is the legal firearm; on an AR-type, it’s the _lower_ receiver; and so on). Seriously, and to reiterate: if you find a firearm in the bathroom, you have very plausibly stumbled on a crime scene. Don’t. Touch. Call the flight attendant. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/78 "2017-05-04T15:03:04Z")
How about I wait until the FAs aren’t around, and take the PA phone and say “whoever left their weapon in the bathroom, please come and collect it. Thank you.” OK, maybe that’s a federal offense, for interfering with the FAs. How about if I run down the aisles screaming “there’s a gun on the plane!!” Would I be legal there? ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/79 "2017-05-04T15:04:26Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > How about I wait until the FAs aren’t around, and take the PA phone and say “whoever left their weapon in the bathroom, please come and collect it. Thank you.” > > OK, maybe that’s a federal offense, for interfering with the FAs. How about if I run down the aisles screaming “there’s a gun on the plane!!” Would I be legal there? “Fire!” in a crowded theater rule; You’re going to get pounded. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711/80 "2017-05-04T15:09:22Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > “Fire!” in a crowded theater rule; You’re going to get pounded. Why? You don’t get pounded for yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre if there’s an actual fire. And in this case, there really is an actual gun on the plane. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-if-you-find-a-gun-in-a-planes-bathroom/785711.md?page=5)