TSA took my buddy's charging handle. What?

[ctbreitwieser]

One of my friends just left last night to go home on leave. A couple weeks ago we went around to a few gunshops and we both picked up a BCM Gunfighter charging handle. I woke up this morning and had a text message from saying TSA took it from him at security and that he almost got arrested for it. I asked for more details but he hasnt got back with me yet. Is having just a part like that really a security risk? Im wondering because Im going home in a month and I dont know if imm going to have to mail mine home or not. Ive flown before with quad rails, red dot, flip up sight, and vert grips all in the same carry on bag and nothing was said. Has something changed?

Ill update when I find out more.

 

[Bill of Rights]

One of my friends just left last night to go home on leave. A couple weeks ago we went around to a few gunshops and we both picked up a BCM Gunfighter charging handle. I woke up this morning and had a text message from saying TSA took it from him at security and that he almost got arrested for it. I asked for more details but he hasnt got back with me yet. Is having just a part like that really a security risk? Im wondering because Im going home in a month and I dont know if imm going to have to mail mine home or not. Ive flown before with quad rails, red dot, flip up sight, and vert grips all in the same carry on bag and nothing was said. Has something changed?

Ill update when I find out more.

To be safe, mail it or put it in your checked luggage. Yes, they're apparently allowed to be THAT picky.

[noparse]http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm[/noparse]

Blessings,
Bill

 

[Sylvain]

That's always a surprise with the TSA, they can decide to steal anything from you if they decide that it's a "dangerous item".

If you try to stop them from stealing your stuff they can arrest you for terrorism and for being a threat to the national security.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

That's always a surprise with the TSA, they can decide to steal anything from you if they decide that it's a "dangerous item".

If you try to stop them from stealing your stuff they can arrest you for terrorism and for being a threat to the national security.

Knowing my friend and how he is, Im sure he tried arguing with them. Could explain the almost arrested part. I cant wait to hear the whole story.

 

[Bushido Devil Dog]

To be safe, mail it or put it in your checked luggage. Yes, they're apparently allowed to be THAT picky.

[noparse]http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm[/noparse]

From the link BoR provided:


Parts of Guns and Firearms Carry-on: No Checked: Yes

 

[45fan]

OK, so whats the difference between guns and firearms? With the exception of my DIs definition, I always assumed they were one and the same.

 

[armedindy]

toilet safety administration

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiXZ-7WlByo[/ame]

 

[Fishersjohn48]

I guess theoretically, several different people could all bring parts of a "gun or firearm" and put it together in the lavatory and have a complete "gun or firearm"

 

[Caleb]

*tinfoil hat*

 

[m82mike]

Remember, these same turkeys tried to grab Joe Foss's Medal of Honor by
calling it a "throwing star."

 

[netsecurity]

Why doesn't the TSA start working with Fedex to quickly pay and ship items that would otherwise be thrown away? I mean, jeesh, it would cost abkut $2 to ship that charging handle in an envelope. There's no reason to force people to throw so much good stuff away every day. I bet the TSA officers get their pick of the " loot" at the end of each week.

 

[Mosinowner]

I bet the TSA officers get their pick of the " loot" at the end of each week.

Yep thats what they do. I bet they raffle it .


1 donut here no 5 there


SOLD to the man in the back with 1 dozen DONUTS this fine pice of metal with a latch on it!

 

[Bill of Rights]

Why doesn't the TSA start working with Fedex to quickly pay and ship items that would otherwise be thrown away? I mean, jeesh, it would cost abkut $2 to ship that charging handle in an envelope. There's no reason to force people to throw so much good stuff away every day. I bet the TSA officers get their pick of the " loot" at the end of each week.

Some airports (and IIRC, IND is one of them) have a mailbox at the security area for just that purpose. Personally, when I'm traveling, if I have to go by air for some reason, I make sure my computer is in its bag and that I have a full book of stamps and a couple of big envelopes with me.I usually bring a couple of return-address labels as well. If they suddenly decide that something I have can't go on the plane, I'd stick whatever it is in an envelope, drop it in the mail, and continue about my business. No muss, no fuss, and no theft of my belongings. The easier method is simply to not travel by air, which is my default setting.

Blessings,
Bill

 

[lucky4034]

Remember, these same turkeys tried to grab Joe Foss's Medal of Honor by
calling it a "throwing star."

Hadn't read that story before today... thanks for bringing tears to a grown mans eyes.

What a sad day....

snopes.com: Joseph J. Foss Medal of Honor

 

[jerry46765]

I go through the airport at least once a week, and see some crazy stuff. This may be a dumb question, but why would you think it would be ok to carry gun parts on a commerical aircraft? And if you did it in the past, and got away with it, consider yourself damn lucky.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I go through the airport at least once a week, and see some crazy stuff. This may be a dumb question, but why would you think it would be ok to carry gun parts on a commerical aircraft? And if you did it in the past, and got away with it, consider yourself damn lucky.

Umm.. because its a CHARGING HANDLE! Its less of a weapon than the pen I can keep in my pocket. I can do more damage with my key chain than I could with that charging handle. Its stupid. And I dont consider myself lucky, I consider them smart for realizing there is no threat from any of those objects.

 

[VERT]

I go through the airport at least once a week, and see some crazy stuff. This may be a dumb question, but why would you think it would be ok to carry gun parts on a commerical aircraft? And if you did it in the past, and got away with it, consider yourself damn lucky.

Why not? I suppose I could see the arguement that people might sneak the parts through security and reassemble a gun. Actually all that is needed to prevent this would be to not allow the serial numbered parts or frames through security. Hard to put together a working gun without the frame and trigger. What the OP was talking about here was a charging handle. A gun part yes, but a part that 90% of people would not recognize as being part of a rifle.

Last time I flew I walked right through security and customs with a metal bodied pen, surefire flashlight, 20 oz stainless water bottle filled with paracord, batteries, lighter and candle. These items did not get a second look.

 

[Wild Deuce]

This is why I haven't flown in over 15 years. I would rather endure a torturous, cramped, and smelly road trip for endless hours than subject myself to being groped, humilated, and robbed by some government hack.

If I ever fly again, it will be out of pure and absolute necessity.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

This is why I haven't flown in over 15 years. I would rather endure a torturous, cramped, and smelly road trip for endless hours than subject myself to being groped, humilated, and robbed by some government hack.

If I ever fly again, it will be out of pure and absolute necessity.

You make a good point. Anybody wanna take a boat trip to Hawaii in July, and bring back a fellow INGOer?

 

[j706]

TSA are very unpredictable IMO. I went to training in SC a few years back with one of my fellow officers. We checked in four long guns and three handguns. As soon as we cleared check in and went into the staging area (with about 200 others) we were approached by four TSA types. They took us both in another room and gave us the ultimate check out. Whatever makes them feel better I guess. I really think TSA people don't like cops and like to hassle them when they can. No biggie just the way it is.

I had a zippo lighter in my Pelican case with my handguns. Leaving Indy it was fine being in there. Leaving SC it was not. I had to mail it home to myself!