Pocket Knives Confiscated at Airports

September 15, 2007

47,000 forgetful people at one airport.  It's true.  Since the advent of September 11, 2001, the security at national airports has been stepped up dramatically and has shed light on how little we remember what we have in our pockets.  It is understandable that in the first several months that many people would mistakenly carry on knives and multi-tools and similar banned items.  But some six years later, the number of people that try to carry on these items has remained steady and created a cottage industry of state run agencies and surplus outlets trying to dispose of these banned carry-ons. 

This cottage industry is fueled in great part to an immense amount of confiscated knives, at every airport in the world.  For instance, McCarran International Air in Las Vegas confiscated 47,000 knives in an 18 month period.  Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta Georgia says they have 250 lbs of items surrendered every two weeks from nail clippers to knives.  From January 2006 to January 2007, Melbourne Airport confiscated 4,000 Swiss Army knives and 2000 knives with blades over 4 inches.  This is just three airports; this is happening in every city in the world. 

I think the problem can be in great part explained by the fact that many people carry their knives everyday and they have become as natural a carry as their keys.  It is not so obviously moronic as the individual that tried to board an airplane with a 25 lb dumbbell, or the guy that tried to board with a chainsaw. 

These knives though are going back into circulation.  A great many of the Swiss knives and tactical folders actually are taken by the states and distributed to law enforcement agents, firemen and cub scouts.  In some states the box lots are sold off, and in a very few locations, the items are destroyed.

Remember, everyday carry means everyday that you are not at the airport.