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I hope this hasn't been asked and answered before.
I did a search and came up with nothing.

DFW is now going to randomly swab for explosives in the secure area of the airport.

I have always wondered if gunpowder residue would be a problem.
Or do you think it would be detected by the bomb sniffers and cause a problem.

What if I fire off a thousand rounds before I catch the red eye?

It's never caused an alarm when the bag containing the coat that I typically wear to the range has been swabbed, so I'm guessing the answer is no. I could be wrong (and lucky) of course...

I have gone through a swab test on July 5th and I'm a fireworks tech! I shot off about 1000 mortars the night before ranging from little 3" to some nice 6" ones. Didn't set off anything after catching the red-eye the next morning. -

Just goes to show you that it's all really "Security Theater" after all...

It doesn't have to really work, it just has to LOOK like it works, and the masses will buy it, hook, line, and sinker.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=31864" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder if old, cordite rounds would give a different result?

phrogg wrote:I have gone through a swab test on July 5th and I'm a fireworks tech! I shot off about 1000 mortars the night before ranging from little 3" to some nice 6" ones. Didn't set off anything after catching the red-eye the next morning. -

So, apparently it doesn't look for nitrates, perchlorates, DDNP or anything else commonly used in fireworks, black powder, smokeless powder or primers. All the things the typical backyard bombmaker is going to use. Guess they're only looking for the tracking chemicals in commercial explosives, because of course all the terrorists are going to go down to Bubba's Blasting Emporium for all their martyrdom needs.

dicion wrote:Just goes to show you that it's all really "Security Theater" after all...

It doesn't have to really work, it just has to LOOK like it works, and the masses will buy it, hook, line, and sinker.

Truth.

TSA has repeatedly said that hunters and shooters don't have to worry, because the swabs don't detect GSR or powder.

Gee, isn't that handy knowledge for the would-be bomber?

phrogg wrote:I have gone through a swab test on July 5th and I'm a fireworks tech! I shot off about 1000 mortars the night before ranging from little 3" to some nice 6" ones. Didn't set off anything after catching the red-eye the next morning. -

Thanks phrogg. That's the kind of reply that convinces me that I need not worry.
Sounds like a fun business you have.