Loaded Gun Gets Past TSA

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Crusader103

Crusader103

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To begin, this is not a knock against the TSA per se, but perhaps against a whole way of thinking and addressing an issue.

Recently (on or about Dec 16), an Iranian-American businessman, realized after arriving at his hotel that his loaded Glock was still in his laptop computer bag. The very bag that was presented at the TSA security checkpoint and x-rayed. The bag that remained in his possession throughout a 3 hour flight.

He self-reported after the fact, so apparently his intentions were not ill towards anyone.

In governmental testing, undercover agents are able to slip guns and mock bombs past TSA with shocking success. In many tests, greater than 90% of the time.

Visit this link for the full story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded-gun-slips-past-tsa-screeners/story?id=12412458

This is not surprising news to me, and probably not news to you either. However, I am interested in some of your thoughts on the whole process.

Is security screening at airports (and other places for that matter) relevant, or just a facade?

How could security truly be enhanced without being an unrealistic and intrusive burden?

If deliberate attempts to conceal items from security are rarely detected, doesn't that just leave the law abiding at a disadvantage, much like other laws/regulations?

Would you support CCW in airports and on airplanes, just like anywhere else?

To be clear, while I am far from a supporter of TSA, this is not meant to be a jab at them. I'd just like to see some thoughts and discussion on such matters and what can/should be done to actually address issues at sensitive locations rather than just the portrayal of doing something.
 
Well remember, TSA can't search anyone that could possibly be middle-eastern because that would be profiling. They were probably too busy feeling up grandmas and picking out the girls they wanted to send through the full body scanners to notice.

Sad that I'll never get to enjoy the experience of flying again, I'll just be driving everywhere...


And to keep it relevant, I don't think CCW should be allowed by civilians.
 
Legal carry on an airplane would have undoubtedly prevented the attcks of 9/11. Think about it. When only the bad guys have guns they will prevail.
 
Just recently (back in September) our VP went on a honeymoon to the Bahamas. He had to fly into Porto Rico and once he arrived at his hotel he was unpacking his backpack when he realized he had left a box cutter in there. Since we work in a packaging plant we all use them frequently. It was surprising that during Sept. he was able to fly out of the country with that in his carry on.
 
I don't recall any of the hijackers having guns on 9/11. Someone with more than a boxcutter could have prevented 9/11. A steel door separating the cockpit from the cabin would have prevented 9/11.

I'm sure some of yall are crack shots, but you think you're gonna put all the rounds in the bad guy? If you're responsible for every shot you put down range, what happens when down range is all innocent bystanders?

Not worried about being sucked out. Had enough physics classes to know that's just TV. Worried about some hero taking me out along with the "hijacker".
 
Exactly. Imagine if every person on the planes pulled out a pistol on the hijacked airplane. Everyone knows that CCWers are highly trained and will not miss their shots in a room full of people and will know who the terrorists are automatically.
 
All those new wunder search machines and this happens. I know that they don't apply to carry ons but still this is ridiculous!
 
So if not on a plane, how about...

church
walmart
IHOP / or any pancake place of your choice
NASCAR at Indy
Dallas vs Vikings (in either stadium)
Fishing at a local park
While transacting 10k of illegal cocain
While visiting Granpa at the hospice


When in your opinion is it ok to carry? Just curious.
 
Back in '86 I made a flight from NY to OK with a large camera bag full of gear as my carry-on. When I got home to OK, I found the loaded .22 revolver that I'd forgotten was in the bag. That bag went through two x-rays and one hand inspection, and that crummy little pistol still made it through. When I found it, I turned white as a ghost and nearly fainted!
 
atheist, don't do church, but if you feel the need to carry in church, maybe you should pick a different religion or different church.

Walmart, sure. Doubt I've ever seen a 737 full of people on one aisle in Walmart. But I haven't shopped there in years, so maybe they're mega-sizing aisles?

I prefer Waffle House, and again, yes, however I usually only frequent WH after leaving the bar, so I doubt I'd have my weapon.

Sporting event, nah

Fishing, sure

Cocaine, gotta have a plan B.

Grandpa probably has more guns hidden in his recliner than I own...


I'd weigh it against population density. What are the odds you miss and hit someone?

And FWIW, I just applied for my CCW today, not against them.
 
And I have to ask what the man being Iranian has to do with the incident?
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For the record, that was a part of the original story and not my addition. But I guess that is still up for discussion..... as some have pointed out, it seems that certain individuals are more or less likely to be sent to secondary for additional inspection. Some seem to be less likely. Perhaps neither for the right reasons.

This does pertain to my original question though. What factors should be pertinent in attempting to address security concerns? What is currently being addressed that should not be?

In reference to other posts, what if CCW was allowed (I'm sure we can all agree that's not likely to happen soon)? Sure, lots of people are aboard and that is a concern. But wouldn't a terrorist with a gun and no armed "victims" to fight back be an even bigger concern? Maybe an innocent is struck, and that is unfortunate. Is it better to allow an entire plane to go down?
 
I fly every couple of weeks. I have respect for others.

Now, TSA is a lot of things, securing passengers is not on the agenda. Unfortunately, the "line agents" are uneducated and for the most part, simply pawns. Some actually believe they are protecting us, while others are ego driven monsters.

Why anyone would stand next to a device emitting radiation 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with no protection or a radiation badge is just beyond by comprehension. I am very courteous to the agents when spoken to, I have even asked why they don't wear radiation badges. I get the 1000 yard stare most of the time. No I won't get in the scanner, but I am nice about it. I tell them I have a health condition and please use new gloves and strongly suggest they toss the gloves after my pat down. ( That gets their attention)

I can tell horror stories you would not believe, including carrying a leatherman in my briefcase for 3 years following 9-11, or being handed a steak knife at a restaurant inside security. I have also been subjected to abuse you would never believe by these people.

I certainly believe I could carry a knife or a firearm through multiple airports I have visited in the last year.
 
I would rather be shot accidentally and be the only innocent casualty of an otherwise unsuccessful hijacking, than to have my aircraft converted into a guided missile, killing over 3k people.

Of course, those aren't the only options. I'd prefer unarmed passengers, reinforced cabin doors, and armed (and trained) pilots. As to the TSA, I'd be happy to cut 80-90% of their funding and redirect it to US Customs and Border Patrol and the Federal Air Marshall Service.

If completely disarming passengers is impractical, as it appears to be, then I would prefer lawful concealed carry. If the bad guys are going to be armed anyway, then the rest of us should be too.

R
 
Seriously? thinking if you have to worry about being attacked in a hospice, there are other issues needing attending to first
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Not to hijack my own thread, but I actually think this is pertinent to the discussion.

Reports: Eight dead in shooting at retirement home

I am of the opinion that we should be able to carry wherever we choose; airplanes, hospitals, government buildings, etc. You see, the government has given me no proof that they can or are willing to protect me better than me.

TSA is unable, and perhaps even unwilling, to take necessary steps to stop security breaches. Why should we not be afforded the ability to protect ourselves since they can't or won't?

Or are there reasonable alternatives that TSA and others can look at?
 
I admire the mans honesty but seriously, who amongst us having had a brain fart like this and successfully brought a gun to one's destination would call the feds up to tell them you broke the law?

I'd be planning to drive home in a rental with my firearm carried in such a way to obey each states laws as I passed through.

Clutch
 
Sgt,

Prior to 9-11 I never flew without a knife. I certainly believe the "no sharp objects" is a bunch of BS. I saw a guy need to cut a piece of string on a recent flight and the person next to him grabbed his carry on and began looking for something. Next thing I know he pulls out a 3 inch knife, cut the string, and returned the knife to his bag. Like NBD.

Honestly, I would pack a knife but don't want the hassle if it is detected, so I leave it at home. If the wrong agent found it, it is likely it would be a bad situation resulting in missing the flight. When I know I will check my luggage, the knife goes in the checked baggage.
 
You see, the government has given me no proof that they can or are willing to protect me better than me.
Click to expand...

You haven't heard? It is not their responsibility to protect you, only to investigate after the fact. MY point was, if the hospice is in that bad a neighborhood, or you feel threatened when you go inside, then you need to move grandpa someplace else
 
...if you feel the need to carry in church, maybe you should pick a different religion or different church.
Click to expand...
Because church shootings never happen, right? You're giving me the impression that you haven't paid much attention to newsworthy events over the past decade or so.
What are the odds you miss and hit someone?
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It doesn't appear that you have a good grasp on the notion of natural rights. They do not exist only in the presence of a discernible need, nor are they void where/when another believes they can't be exercised efficiently.

OP... sorry for the off topic drift.
 
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