Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Terrified Tourists Bring Protection When Visiting Lady Liberty
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 17, 2011
Modified Oct 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 17, 2011
Modified Oct 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Statue of Liberty is going to take a year-long breather from tourists starting at the end of the month (though Liberty Island will remain open), so what better time to review some of the thousands of weapons that tourists try and bring there! 7,000 cans of pepper spray confiscated this year alone we understand (New York, we hear, is scary) but 5,300 knives? Really?
In the month of September alone, "visitors surrendered seven dangerous weapons, 61 cans of pepper spray and Mace, and 588 knives—an average of about 20 blades a day, according to Park Police statistics."
Visitors to Liberty Island, in case you've successfully avoided the tourist trap in the past few years, are now screened airport-style by the U.S. Park Police by the battery before heading onto a ferry (with a second check on the island). Last year 3.8 million people visited the landmarks and had 5,300 knives, 5,000 "miscellaneous weapons" (think screwdrivers), and nearly 7,000 cans of pepper spray. No wonder the plans to start doing security screening only on the island were scrapped!
Tagged
knives
lady liberty
liberty island
pepper spray
statue of liberty
The Battery
tourists
us park police
weapons
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
Police say a Rockland County man was fatally shot during what appeared to be a road rage incident on Tuesday night.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 21, 2026 at 4:26 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 21, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYC adult daycare operators charged with committing over $500K in Medicaid fraud
By
Caroline Lewis
Port Authority eyes $117M fix to Manhattan roadway where falling debris smashed cars
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Bronx couple starved their 3-year-old to death, indictment says
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .