Avoid Carrying Keychain Weapons While Flying

We all know there is inherent risk in flying, both from the plane and from other passengers. Nevertheless, it is not acceptable to carry weapons of any kind onto an aircraft. This feels obvious for items like swords, nunchaku, knives, etc but also pertains to smaller less obvious implements.

A man recently pulled a ‘double wammy’ at JFK airport and tried to board a plan with an obvious weapon and a not-so-obvious weapon:

“A Central Pennsylvania man was arrested Wednesday after trying to pass through security with a loaded handgun and a martial arts weapon.

TSA officers stopped the man, from Lebanon County, PA, after he took off his vest and put it in one of the plastic bins before walking through the X-ray machine.

Inside his vest pocket was a loaded .32 caliber handgun with five rounds, according to TSA officials.  Along with the handgun, the man was also armed with a “cat eye-knuckles martial arts weapon” which appeared in the X-ray image.” – Pix

This individual was clearly of the mindset that it was his right to carry weapons at all times and in all situations. He is incorrect and his possession of a weapon put the rest of the passengers in danger. Most people forget that if they carry a weapon, and a threat gets the drop on them (which can occur quickly), the weapon can easily be used against them and other passengers. In addition, the airline has no clue about the mental stability of the weapon carrier and cannot assume the person should be trusted in a confined space with a deadly implement.

The loaded gun was an obvious mistake, but the cat eye knuckles would have gotten him in trouble by itself. Small weapons, especially keychain weapons, are easy to forget about when preparing for a flight. Many individuals walk around with tools like kubotan, pepper spray, folding knives, metal knuckles, etc so frequently that they forget the implement is even there. This is especially true for women who are actively encouraged (and rightly so) to improve their chances of successful self defense with effective tools.

Before flying double check your own belongings. Look at your keyring as well as your wallet, purse, pockets, etc. Even if your tool seems silly (like cat knuckles) remember that airlines are still on high alert and will confiscate the implement. In addition, you may find yourself facing interrogation and even criminal charges.