Passenger with Samurai Sword Attempts to Board Plane at NYC Airport

No matter how "cool" or "antique" a weapon may be, it's still a weapon to airport security. One woman at a New York City airport learned this the hard way when she tried to board a plane with what personnel are calling a "samurai sword".

An Oriental Predicament

An unnamed woman on Tuesday morning attempted to sneak a six-and-a-half-inch blade on her carry-on bag before boarding a plane a Laguardia Airport, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The woman placed her bags at a security checkpoint for screening, but with the help of X-rays, staff were able to identify the blade inside one of her bags. Guards opened the bag to find the sword with an "ornate, black handle".

Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson, posted a picture of the sword on X  with the following comments:

"Sorry folks, but your samurai swords are not permitted to be carried through @TSA checkpoints, including this one that was intercepted at one of the checkpoints at @LGAairport yesterday."

It isn't known at this time if the "samurai sword" is considered real or a replica. According to TSA's What Can I Bring? page, both real and replica blades are prohibited from carry-on bags. Both types of sword need to be placed in checked baggage either sheathed or tightly wrapped for safety. The sword in particular didn't appear to include a sheath.
 

The sword has since been confiscated by police and stored as evidence. The woman has been issued a summons to appear in court, with the possibility of receiving legal ramifications for attempting to board a plane with a prohibited item. The hearing is said to take place later this year.

(Don't) Choose Your Weapon

Farbstein has also shared other confiscated items from TSA checkpoints over the past two months on social media, such as knives, brass knuckles, stun guns, and even a salt shaker shaped like a grenade. A handful of replica weapons were also seized by security on September 13th (Friday the 13th).
 

And in 2022, TSA officials at Boston Logan airport confiscated a hidden blade inside of a walking cane. The owner's explanation was that he purchased the cane and didn't have knowledge of the internal blade. The passenger was cleared to fly, but the cane was surrendered to Massachusetts State Police.