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TSA Tip: Cool "Gun" Belt Buckles Ain't Legal Either
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 19, 2012
Modified Dec 19, 2012
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Courtesy TSA
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 19, 2012
Modified Dec 19, 2012
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Yesterday morning an unidentified man with a gun replica belt buckle tried to glide through security at JFK airport. But despite the belt buckle being totally badass and an absolute babe magnet, TSA security screeners brought the hammer down on the individual, forcing him to choose between traveling to his destination and holding his trousers up in unparalleled style. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein sets the scene:
Someone took off his belt and put it in a bin on the conveyor to go through the X-ray machine. When the TSA officer viewed the X-ray image, he understandably saw a gun. The conveyor belt was halted and the Port Authority Police were called. Once the police arrived, the bin was removed from the X-ray machine at which time it was determined to be a replica.
After what was no doubt a tearful and traumatic parting, Farbstein says the man "surrendered the buckle and caught his flight." She explains that replica weapons are prohibited because others on board an airplane might not realize that a replica item (be it a gun, grenade, knife, or other item) is not real and as such, could cause a panic. And in case you're wondering, land mines are also prohibited.
Tagged
belt buckles
guns
security theater
tsa
original
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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