Slashdot Mirror
TSA: Gun Discoveries In Baggage Up 20% In 2015 Over 2014 (networkworld.com)
coondoggie writes: There was a 20% increase in firearm discoveries at TSA airport checkins from 2014's total of 2,212. It's an astounding number really, but the details get worse. The TSA goes onto say 2,653 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging more than seven firearms per day. Of those, 2,198 (83%) were loaded. Firearms were intercepted at a total of 236 airports; 12 more airports than last year. Last year a TSA spokesman, when asked of the TSA has a theory on why so many more guns are being brought onboard airlines, Tweeted “The vast majority of passengers just tell law enforcement, ‘I forgot.’ We continue to remind passengers they can check them.”
Rape and homicide by minorities were also up in 2015 over 2014 which is why women have flocked to guns for self protection, even when traveling on airplanes. The country is scared, the country is angry, and Trump will make America great again come Nov 2016.
Why they're non-existent...
Propagandistic (and probably paid for) scare article is propagandistic.
And not a singe terrorist caught.
I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
It is not surprising that there are ths many attempts, or that most of them are accidental. There are a staggering number of people flying, and a high number of guns in the US.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (http://www.transtats.bts.gov/) says there were 689 million passenger enplanements. You can do the math, but approximately 2,000 guns found is nowhere near a concerning number. It sounds shocking on the face of it, but with a decade of record gun sales and a strong movement for people to carry concealed, I expected for more to be found.
More people are bringing guns or the TSA is getting better at finding them?
Maybe they just work better to make more discoveries!
Women are the majority of gun owners
http://www.gallup.com/poll/160...
Gun ownership among men: 45%
Gun ownership among women: 12%
I live in Sweden: If ONE person here was found to have tried to bring a gun aboard a plane it would be such a sensation that it would be all over the news.
But so forgetful that you leave it in your carry-on accidentally?
It's not like they changed the rule about firearms on planes recently. That kind of irresponsibility should get you on some ATF no-buy list. If you can't be bothered to be cognizant of carrying a weapon, you shouldn't carry one.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
I like how the summary implies horrible things that the majority of the guns were loaded, as if people were intending to do evil things with them. The truth is an unloaded gun is good for nothing more than a paperweight or a very inefficient club. I think this story is reflecting something: namely that more people are beginning to carry guns. What does concern me though is that this could also indicate that a lot of people new to guns are carrying them as well. You should never lose track of where your guns are; that's how guns get lost, stolen, or found(ie kids).
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
The public clearly wants to take airport security in their hands. Privatized public security, war lord style.
"You forgot?"
You are carrying into an airport the single most effective thing invented for immediate creation of death and destruction. An item so effective is it not only regulated but supposedly the only thing standing between individual liberty and tyranny.
But you can't remember where you put it?
A gun isn't a a missing ingredient from your 1,000 ingredient cake recipe. (One hopes.)
The statement itself is a casual disregard for safety that is almost not believable were it not involving that most unreliable of animals, man. I'd almost believe they were simply caught red handed and do not want embarrassment of also being arrrested.
"Oh, I could have stopped that guy mugging me but this is my suede jacket. Left my DeathBringer 5000 in the tweed jacket. At the daycare. Maybe with the safety off. Who knows? Certainly not me."
These previous gun owners will have to deal with loss of their property. But after seeing how poorly some people checked large quantities of ammo (saran wrap in a random case?) one can only say: stupid is and stupid does.
The TSA is improving, and not missing as many.
Do you really think it's an accident every time? If you were caught in the TSA line with a gun, what do you think would be the "correct" response?
A) "I was planning to hijack the plane, sir."
B) "I was planning to defend the plane in case of a terrorist attack, sir."
C) "I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."
D) "I forgot."
It wouldn't surprise me if there were that many gun-lovers who think they have a right to carry regardless of the circumstances, or at least just like to see what they can get away with. Also makes me wonder how many guns make it past TSA.
As a European, I continue to be utterly bemused/scared by America's obsession with owning guns. I know all the arguments that usually get trotted out, they just sound like crazy talk to me.
I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
So are more people attempting to transport guns or did the TSA just get better at detecting them?
Both of those are pretty bad things.
Also :
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 153
That is like 1 every 2 days. At least the numbers show where most idiots live. Yes I uses idiot there. They must totally disregard gun safety to do this.
I am really surprised that anyone who attempts to transport a gun does not automatically get added to the no fly list.
"...2,198 (83%) were loaded."
"...The vast majority of passengers just tell law enforcement, ‘I forgot.’"
To address the other 17%, you forgot to do what? Load the damn thing?
I mean hell, if you're going to be THAT forgetful as a gun owner, might as well not even carry around a worthless steel brick.
There is approximately one billion of passengers in United States, an approximate number which includes domestic, international and private aviation helicopters and planes.
Let's crunch some numbers: 2,700 handguns were discovered for one billion boardings equals to approximately one gun per 370,000 passengers.
Let's take into the prospective:
On average, statistically, in this country there is 1.1 weapon per every person. We do not break down by the type of gun or passenger, but three forgetful citizens out of one million is a really really low number.
Here are some sobering conclusions:
1. None of the passengers had intention of using the weapon. Why? Because nobody used. Because if they wanted to they would have.
2. Even if there would be no TSA, the safety would not deteriorate or decrease. Metal detectors manned by the private screeners could detect all the forgotten weapons. More: currently cockpit doors are locked as such, a handgun inside the plane is pretty much useless. Yes: you can shoot a hole or kill a passenger or two, but the rest of passengers will tear you apart.
So it all boils down to how the question is presented:
" Why so many guns were brought to the airport".
The real questions should have been following:
Question: "In a country with 400 million guns only less than 3,000 guns are brought to the airport. All of the owners meant to leave the gun in a checked in bag? Is existence, the cost, and the false sense of security of TSA justified?"
The real answer: "No. One segment fee of $5.60 is an evidence of mind boggling waste and incompetence. This $5.60 will only increase in the future. TSA should be disbanded and handling of the security should be up to the airports and the carriers".
Based on your comments, like most people, you believe that in order for citizens to have a right, it must be granted by the constitution. In fact, it is just the opposite. The constitution grants rights and responsibilities to the government and any responsibility not explicitly granted to the government remains the right of the people. Many of the founders specifically objected to the Bill of Rights for this reason because it made it seem like if the constitution wasn't giving a right to the people, then they didn't have that right. You don't only have the rights in the bill of rights. You have ALL rights unless a specific limitation is put in place in the constitution granting the government dominion over a particular activity. Do not fall into the trap of saying that if it isn't in the Bill of RIghts, it's not a right.
"I forgot" as an excuse for bringing a firearm on a plane should mean you are instantly put on a no-buy and no-fly list, and that any other guns you own must be turned over to authorities.
If you're so irresponsible that you can't remember that you're carrying a firearm, let alone a loaded one, onto a plane, then you're far, far, far too irresponsible to be trusted with a firearm under any circumstances. It very likely means you "forget" to put the guns properly in a safe or "forget" rules of responsible use, or "forget" who the hell knows what.
If you're so paranoid about terrorists that you'll try and sneak a firearm onto a plane "just in case" (and then cowardly enough to lie about why you did it, to boot) then you're probably not mentally stable enough to be a responsible firearm owner and the same rules should apply - no-buy, no-fly and your guns are confiscated.
I don't have a problem with responsible, sane gun ownership, but in no way, shape, or form does bringing a firearm onto a plane in your carry-on unless you're an air marshal, intersect with either "responsible" or "sane."
Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
Abolish the TSA. Use the savings to give anyone with a concealed carry license a discount if they carry on their flight.
You'll have more security, and shorter lines at the airports.
Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.
They're 20% better at trying to distract from it though.
And before anyone tries to claim they're deterring terror attacks, don't be fooled. That's really the work of my magic terror-preventing rock.
... we could all just fly naked. Think of the advantages! No more worries about concealed weapons that are any larger than will comfortably fit in an orifice. An opportunity to really get to know your neighbor. Necessarily improved climate control -- no more flights that are too cold or too warm. And a complete lack of literalist religious folk on the aircraft, because for most of them appearing naked in public is an even bigger sin than allowing infidels to spread lies about the one true faith or failing to bring on the apocalypse so Jesus can return to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The merely prudish would, of course, take the train, which would be a welcome burst of new business for alternative transportation. Throw in a little alcohol and a whole new meaning of "in-flight entertainment" could emerge as a new cultural norm. The increased happiness among fliers could lead us to world peace!
It's the perfect solution. At least as long as they have one of those boxes that say "your body must fit inside of this box in order to take this flight" -- for humans...
rgb
Even when the experts all agree, they may well be mistaken. --- Bertrand Russell.
Really? What kind of special rock do you live under that you are concerned enough about your personal security to carry a weapon, but are unaware that it's been illegal to carry a loaded weapon on a plane for the last four(?) decades? It significantly pre-dates the existence of the TSA.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
And when a terrorist comes on board with a legal CC weapon? How about when 4-6 of them do, as with the 9-11 hijackers? Two dozen people (4 terrorists and 20 armed citizens) in a firefight in an airplane at 30,000 feet is very likely to result in the same number of deaths (i.e. everyone in the plane) whether the terrorists take over the plane or not.
Remember - someone who intends to blow up or otherwise crash a plane to incite fear in the population is already a dead man who has already made peace with his God over dying that day. Threatening to shoot him (or her) to try and stop a takeover is not a viable deterrent.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
"when asked of the TSA has a theory on why so many more guns are being brought onboard airlines"
I would thought that preventing people from taking guns "onboard airlines" was sort of the sine qua non for a TSA checkpoint.
I suppose the sentence should be "why so many guns are being brought into security checklanes". Or maybe not, as TSA has been shown to be an abject farce.
So, are these people prosecuted, or just given a waggled finger and a box to store their firearm safely to take home?
I ask because:
"9 U.S. Code 46505 - Carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft
(b)General Criminal Penalty.—An individual shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both, if the individual—
(1) when on, or attempting to get on, an aircraft in, or intended for operation in, air transportation or intrastate air transportation, has on or about the individual or the property of the individual a concealed dangerous weapon that is or would be accessible to the individual in flight;"
Since only embarking passengers are allowed through security now, going through the TSA station might constitute an "attempt to get on..." This is, afaict, a felony. With the exception of the (somewhat controversial, and funded/unfunded times for reviews) BATFE Relief program, those convicted of a federal felony are barred from purchase or possession of firearms.
Was this pursued on any of the 2000 cases?
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
And how many of these firearms were intended for nefarious uses? Do they even contend a single one was an attempt to do something unpleasant on a plane? As others are noting I would imagine this is more a function of them improving their terrible detection methodology which misses most "threats" (fake bombs, lighters, etc) and somehow still doesn't result in chaos in the air. "Terrorism" isn't even a rounding error in overall mortality statistics, you're literally more likely to be struck by lightning than be involved in a terrorism incident. Put a few common sense safeguards in place (armed Air Marshalls, robust aircraft, reinforced cockpit doors, training, severe criminal penalties, etc) and get on with life.
Or something in the middle?
"TSA officers screened 708,316,339 million passengers (more than 1.9 million per day), 40,780,330 million more than for the same timeframe in 2014."
That's a big number.
intelligence to carry a gun: if you try to take it on a plane, you fail.
Considering a previous report that the TSA has a tendency to miss 95% of weapons that subjects brought with them to " test " the TSA's effectiveness
and
Considering the odds of your firearm going missing when you jump through all the hoops to transport one properly thanks to the airlines basically being the equivalent of a modern day thieves guild.
( The folks at the airport managed to cut off one of my locks on the Pelican Case I was using to transport mine. They only stopped presumably because the remaining lock was sporting one of the TSA Hologram stickers that effectively says "We've inspected it, it's definitely a firearm. Don't open it. " )
The odds for keeping your firearm from going missing are better if you just pack it in your carry on apparently :D
The question isn't the only spin in this article.
The fact that the majority of these "forgetful passengers" are actual LAW ENFORCEMENT has been oddly omitted. I've got a buddy that worked for the TSA. Every gun he caught was some police officer or sheriff thinking it was ok because he was LEO. Changes the whole message.
So given that there are 7 guns on airplanes everyday, can we assume that in years prior that was a good rule of thumb?
Why then are there not 7 highjackings every day?
Why are there not 7 air rage shootings everyday?
Could it be because most people carrying weapons aren't bad guys? They just want protection and don't mean to cause any harm? Certainly if they wanted to cause harm they could have.
Every day I get closer and closer to moving to Canada.
Talking with someone back then who said when he checks in baggage, he wants to carry on his pistol as valuable possession not to get lost in baggage. This was before 9-11 and I don't think they objected. I may have not remembered some details, I think airline would at least request it be placed with pilot.
Also before 9-11 another who loves to cook and he always brings his knives as carry on as these are expensive and doesn't want to get lost in baggage. Those were the days!
mfwright@batnet.com
If it's an accident, they're a stupid fucking gun owners and don't deserve to possessing a firearm of any kind.
If it's deliberate, they're arrogant assholes and still don't deserve to possess a firearm of any kind.
Not knowing where your firearms is completely irresponsible.
Not knowing what's is your carry on luggage is also completely irresponsible.
They need to have their guns and rights to purchase and carry guns revoked for one year, and then pass a gun safety class to have your guns returned. If you can't be bothered to even remember that you are currently carrying a gun, you are in no condition to be using guns.
It's perfectly legal to have guns in CHECKED bags. You need to declare it at the time of check in to the ticketing agent and make sure it's not loaded. Check with ticketing agent for additional restrictions.
But TSA of course STEAL these items from checked bags without any warrant, and of course the TSA puts those numbers in with all the other fabricated numbers to make it look like they are actually doing something.
I find it hard to credit the TSA with anything. I don't believe more guns are being carried on planes, just that the TSA may have stumbled onto a few more by blind luck. Even a blind chick finds a kernel of corn now and then. That kind of statistical increase is unrealistic, more likely the TSA has finally tripped over a search procedure that works, or maybe even hire 2 or 3 competent workers which would account for the increase.
errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
"I forgot" just isn't much of a reason. It might be truthful, I'm not saying it's not, but good grief people.
.357 with me. It's in a locked metal box in one bag, and the ammo is in a locked metal box in the other. The boxes don't go anywhere except the luggage, and since I find them immediately when I start packing it's very easy to put the gun in them pretty much at that point too.
I travel several times a year, always taking my
Ferret
Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
Some manager at the TSA may have found a way to "enhance" the statistics. Probably that. Nothing more.
There was a 20% increase in 1 year? Not likely, unless the TSA was failing to find guns before.
MOD PARENT UP to +10. Quote: "Many of the founders specifically objected to the Bill of Rights for this reason because it made it seem like if the constitution wasn't giving a right to the people, then they didn't have that right."
is a good man who remembers that he's carrying a gun.
Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
Those are both grossly irresponsible behaviours. If someone were to be caught driving so irresponsibly, you'd at least expect them to get hauled up in front of the court, and potentially to lose their driving license for a couple of years.
So, the TSA is confiscating (and destroying) these weapons AND cancelling the gun licenses of the people in charge of the weapons AND of the weapon's owners (if different) because giving a weapon to such an irresponsible idiot is itself an act of gross irresponsibility which is incompatible with being licensed to hold such dangerous machines.
Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"