Travelers with a concealed handgun licenses

[MikeInTX]

Travelers at D/FW Airport increasingly found packing firearms
http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Traveler ... 66381.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

D/FW AIRPORT - Security screeners at TSA checkpoints have detected an increasing number of firearms at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in the last three weeks, according to a review of police reports by News 8.

"It's very significant," said Dr. Cedric Alexander, TSA Federal Security Director at D/FW Airport. "[Even] one weapon found is significant, because we have to make sure we're protecting the flying public."

In the last 10 days, TSA screeners have discovered five guns at D/FW Airport. So far this month, seven have turned up during X-rays of carry-on luggage.

Alexander credits two elements for all the discoveries.

"We really are recovering a lot of weapons," he said. "The technology we are seeing today that has been employed is playing a very, very important part. But I think one of the more significant pieces of the detections [that] are being made is really in our personnel."

The TSA said it has found several .38-calibers and some Glock 9mms this month.

Many of them belong to travelers with a concealed handgun licenses, Alexander said. Almost everyone tells police the same story -- that they forget their pistol in their carry-on luggage.

Screeners discovered more firearms at Terminal E than anywhere else, and most of those happen first thing in the morning. The reason why is a little harder to pinpoint.

Weapons like knives, batons, and pepper spray often result in a citation, according to official reports. But anyone caught with a gun at a checkpoint goes to jail.

The most recent record for firearm discoveries at D/FW Airport happened in 2010, when 66 guns were found. Last year, screeners detected 57.

But in the first ten months of this year, 56 firearms have already been found.

If the current trend continues over the next eight weeks, screeners will likely exceed last year's number of finds and get close to the 2010 figure.

[mr surveyor]

""We really are recovering a lot of weapons," he said...."

why don't they use the word "discovering" or "confiscating" rather than recovering? In context the use of the word recovering (something that wasn't lost or stolen to begin with) makes as much sense in these stories as the use of the term "buy back" (as when the buyer had never previously owned the item)

[Excaliber]

The first question for me is:

Do I feel safer as an air traveler from the knowledge that TSA is justifying its existence by finding CHL holders who were careless about removing their gun from the off body carry container they use every day but have absolutely no intention to harm anyone and having them hauled off to jail?

My answer is no.

The question I want to see answered to better understand the effectiveness and need for the TSA is:

How many of the seized guns belonged to gang bangers, convicted felons, and unlicensed persons with ties to jihadist groups?

I'm still searching for that statistic.

[AEA]

And I have made the choice to NEVER fly again.

[Oldgringo]

And I have made the choice to NEVER fly again.

I was on an airplane the weekend immediately before 9/11/2001 and can't conceive of the instance when I'd board another.

[Jaguar]

"It's very significant," said Dr. Cedric Alexander, TSA Federal Security Director at D/FW Airport. "[Even] one weapon found is significant, because we have to make sure we're protecting the flying public."

The pistol is not a danger to the flying public, it is people who would use any means available to hurt, maim or kill as many other people as possible. A CHL holder is not very likely to be the person who would attempt that, but the TSA doesn't focus on threts, they focus on keeping nail files off planes, and find some firearms by accident.

In the last 10 days, TSA screeners have discovered five guns at D/FW Airport. So far this month, seven have turned up during X-rays of carry-on luggage.

Alexander credits two elements for all the discoveries.

"We really are recovering a lot of weapons," he said. "The technology we are seeing today that has been employed is playing a very, very important part. But I think one of the more significant pieces of the detections [that] are being made is really in our personnel."

Baggage x-ray and metal detectors will find any gun, why credit "technology" with finding them? Oh yeah, someone who knows someone had some naked body scanners to sell, and are still trying to justify the massive bill the taxpayers stuck with.

Oh, "recovering", that would imply the firearms belong to the government in the first place. Or that they were somehow lost and the good folks at the TSA got them reunited with their long lost owners.

[RPB]

""We really are recovering a lot of weapons," he said...."

why don't they use the word "discovering" or "confiscating" rather than recovering? In context the use of the word recovering (something that wasn't lost or stolen to begin with) makes as much sense in these stories as the use of the term "buy back" (as when the buyer had never previously owned the item)

[Bennies]

Non of my weapons ever touch my bags that go through security period! Non of my bags that I use to carry any weapons ever are used to travel. I could easily see forgetting a spare mag, extra knife, or even a BUG in the bag. I can't even imagine the headache that would follow when Johnny smooth TSA screener finds a forgotten item. I'm sure they would treat it like they just thwarted the next biggest Terrorist attack. Mistakes happen like this all the time. I'm sure the majority of these finds if not all are just innocent mistakes. A few pilots I know have ended up in some hot water for this exact same thing. Some I know have made it through only to find their forgotten item in their bag after the fact.

[philip964]

Should CHL's be allowed to carry on an commercial airline flight, would you feel safer?

Yes.

Is the current policy absurd?

Yes.

Vote in the election it is important.

[RPB]

Should CHL's be allowed to carry on an commercial airline flight, would you feel safer?

Yes.

Is the current policy absurd?

Yes.

Vote in the election it is important.

IMHO, CHLs should be allowed to carry on planes, but an instructional leaflet passed out reminding them of De-pressurization danger if a weapon discharges while up in the air...

That isn't something we have to consider with feet planted on the ground.

[SRH78]

Should CHL's be allowed to carry on an commercial airline flight, would you feel safer?

Yes.

Is the current policy absurd?

Yes.

Vote in the election it is important.

IMHO, CHLs should be allowed to carry on planes, but an instructional leaflet passed out reminding them of De-pressurization danger if a weapon discharges while up in the air...

That isn't something we have to consider with feet planted on the ground.

Actually, this has been discussed quite a bit. Based on what several pilots and others in the aviation industry have said, depressurization is greatly overblown. The concern would be the wires running under the floor that control the aircraft.

[SRH78]

The first question for me is:

Do I feel safer as an air traveler from the knowledge that TSA is justifying its existence by finding CHL holders who were careless about removing their gun from the off body carry container they use every day but have absolutely no intention to harm anyone and having them hauled off to jail?

My answer is no.

The question I want to see answered to better understand the effectiveness and need for the TSA is:

How many of the seized guns belonged to gang bangers, convicted felons, and unlicensed persons with ties to jihadist groups?

I'm still searching for that statistic.

Agreed and there is no way they will make those statistics available.

[rubio]

Because the answer "zero, none, nada, zip" is embarrassing when the public finds out how much money is wasted on the TSA and their kiddie fondling.

[StewNTexas]

I consider myself in the group what never plan to board a commercial airliner again.

Its been a while, but I can only imagine the hassle of trying to get me through the screening process with my defib/pacemaker combo unit. Yes, I do have a card from the doctor that implanted the first, second and third units. It is really tough to get your batteries changed.

I will never go through one of their machines. I am afraid any/some/all 'rays' might have some impact on the progamming, which is extensive. When something goes out of 'whack', I get a beeping alarm similar to the backing alarm on many vehicles. Sure sounds funny coming out of your chest. This usually indicates an office visit for reprogramming of adjustment. To only read out the data, I can connect to a land line and send the information remotely.

Usually I overly careful around electricity. Made a small error a few weeks ago and came in brief contact with an inproperly grounded RV. Just a small and usually harmless amount of electricity required a visit. I don't plan to take any chances if I can help it.

[Jumping Frog]

I will never go through one of their machines. I am afraid any/some/all 'rays' might have some impact on the progarmming, which is extensive.

You do not have to go through any xray or other machines if you do not want to. You can request a search instead.

But I can understand and respect a decision to avoid flying under those circumstances.

I have to travel on business, so I simply put up with it.