Interesting event going through Security yesterday....

[blume357]

Seems it is okay to carry Pepper spray or gel into government buildings....
Had to take my wife to our county offices yesterday to file paperwork for the building permit we are applying for and of course I left my pistol in the car.... when we walked through he front doors I was surprised that I set off the alarm...( I had put the nice pants I wore on Sunday to church back on to to go out in the world, ) So, had to empty my pockets for the cops sitting behind the desk... and to my surprise I pulled out a can of Sabre Pepper Gel spray... along with my big set of keys.... cop did not even bat an eye just told me to leave it there and go back through.... which I did and he was okay with me keeping the Pepper Gel... now that I think about it I had a spare magazine on my belt and it did not set the machine off.

 

[Jeepnik]

Now that brings up a question. You can't bring firearms in government building. Does it say no ammo in fine print somewhere?

 

[Cofaler]

My wife flew commercial a few months ago and when she got to the hotel she found a loaded Glock mag in the bottom of her carry on bag. It either didn't set off the alarm or the TSA didn't care. Unwilling to take the chance on the return flight, she wrapped the rounds in an empty fast food bag, threw them in the trash and flew home with the empty mag. No issues.

 

[blume357]

Have a friend that flys a lot and his carry on kept setting off the alarm when he went through security at the airport but they never could find anything... then one day he was digging deep in it and found one 9mm round... I think the person looking at the screen is just for show.. there is some super computer actually analyzing all the images of what is in your carry on and that is what get's pinged.... seems it's not my carryon that does this when I fly.. but my body.. .they always have to microwave me and then pat me down... but it could be just because I'm so good looking.

 

[Lt92]

My wife flew commercial a few months ago and when she got to the hotel she found a loaded Glock mag in the bottom of her carry on bag. It either didn't set off the alarm or the TSA didn't care. Unwilling to take the chance on the return flight, she wrapped the rounds in an empty fast food bag, threw them in the trash and flew home with the empty mag. No issues.

Very fortunate...that could have been a real buzz kill for sure

 

[Mobuck]

I must be 'persona non grata' at the local SSI office (actually no question that I am) and my name must be on some 'list' of dangerous geezers. I haven't had to visit that office for years but the last time I was there, as soon as the guard(?) saw my name, he escorted me outside for a full coverage 'wanding' with the metal detector. I'd expected this and thought I'd left any/all offensive items in the vehicle but guess what, I was outed for my money clip that has a folding utility knife blade. The entire clip is approx 1"x 2"x 1/4" but more than enough to set off the alarm.

 

[pisgah]

A few years back, TSA sent agents all over the country to see how easy it would be for them to smuggle a gun onboard. Going in, they assumed that their agents would succeed about 3% of the time...

The were successful in 97% of their attempts.

It is ALL a fraud...

 

[blume357]

Yep... my social security story... I had an appointment back in 2019, which it seems now you can't make one, but any who...

I drove up and took my pistol and holster off my belt, locked them in the car and then went to walk in and this guard came off from the left and pointed at the pouch on my left side and asked. "is that a knife?". I looked down and saw what he was pointed at and answered, "No." And he then said, "Okay, you can go on in." And I did, then I started to be kind of nervous because I did have a Gerber tool on my right side and a Swiss army in my pocket... but the real deal was the pouch he asked about.. that still had the extra magazine for my Sig P239 I had left in the car......
So much for security...

Also keep in mind on Monday it seems when I set off the alarm I removed my car keys and the can of pepper gel and went back through the detector with out a problem and I still had the extra magazine for my Sig on my belt.

Had to go back to the county offices yesterday to file more forms.. made it though this time with out a problem...... but I just wonder... there are 3 city police officers sitting there watching the door all day long... there are actually two buildings and another 3 over at the entrance to that one.....figure out the cost of all that over a year. Besides that I sure hope they rotate that job.. has to be just about as boring as spinning a stop or go slow sign on the side of the road.

 

[Paul B]

About a few years back I had to spend some time in hospital And they were collecting stuff from my pockets for stuff like wallets, keys etc. One of the things was a Browning pocket knife that I carry, and have carried for so long I almost forget it's there. The doc standing there while this was being done saw it and totally freaked out yelling at the nurse to call security immediately. Anything over 3.5" is a no no and mine is 3.25". Security said it was OK as it was within limits and the look he gave the doc was well worth the hassle. I asked the doc if he was the one who was going to do the procedure and he said no. I looked him square in the face and said, "Good. Odds are I will probably bleed a bit and you'll freak out and let me bleed to death." IIRC, they were going to put another stent in me and go through the femoral artery. A screwup there and you'll bleed out in around 2.5 minutes.
Paul B.

 

[BloodyThumb]

I went in to SS office several years ago for my mom before she passed. No metal detectors, just an officer by the door. Not a police officer, and security service (kid) officer. He wanted to wand me and I showed him my badge. He said he was still not supposed to let me bring it in. The chances of crossing paths with someone there that I had dealt with outside and was not happy at the final outcome, was pretty high. So I told him I was not going to do that, and why. So he turned the wand off, went through the motions with it and let me in.

You could tell he was nervous about doing it but IMO he did the right thing. I took care of my business and thanked him on the way out. That is the ONLY time I ever recall going anywhere that would not allow active LE to go armed. The only time I was ever in federal buildings was on duty.

 

[JackAsinus]

I fly periodically for work. Twice, through security, they have found ammunition. They just confiscated them and sent me on my way both times.

 

[bigbillyboy]

I went in to SS office several years ago for my mom before she passed. No metal detectors, just an officer by the door. Not a police officer, and security service (kid) officer. He wanted to wand me and I showed him my badge. He said he was still not supposed to let me bring it in. The chances of crossing paths with someone there that I had dealt with outside and was not happy at the final outcome, was pretty high. So I told him I was not going to do that, and why. So he turned the wand off, went through the motions with it and let me in.

You could tell he was nervous about doing it but IMO he did the right thing. I took care of my business and thanked him on the way out. That is the ONLY time I ever recall going anywhere that would not allow active LE to go armed. The only time I was ever in federal buildings was on duty.

Anyone with a ccw should also be granted the same courtesy

 

[BloodyThumb]

We’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one sir.

 

[el caminero]

Yep... my social security story... I had an appointment back in 2019, which it seems now you can't make one, but any who...

I drove up and took my pistol and holster off my belt, locked them in the car and then went to walk in and this guard came off from the left and pointed at the pouch on my left side and asked. "is that a knife?". I looked down and saw what he was pointed at and answered, "No." And he then said, "Okay, you can go on in." And I did, then I started to be kind of nervous because I did have a Gerber tool on my right side and a Swiss army in my pocket... but the real deal was the pouch he asked about.. that still had the extra magazine for my Sig P239 I had left in the car......
So much for security...

Also keep in mind on Monday it seems when I set off the alarm I removed my car keys and the can of pepper gel and went back through the detector with out a problem and I still had the extra magazine for my Sig on my belt.

Had to go back to the county offices yesterday to file more forms.. made it though this time with out a problem...... but I just wonder... there are 3 city police officers sitting there watching the door all day long... there are actually two buildings and another 3 over at the entrance to that one.....figure out the cost of all that over a year. Besides that I sure hope they rotate that job.. has to be just about as boring as spinning a stop or go slow sign on the side of the road.

Typically, the guard gets about 1/3 of what is paid to the company contracted to provide the guard

 

[Paladin]

A Close Call – What seems like eons ago when I was still working, I was summoned by the Illinois State Attorney to testify as an expert witness on behalf of the State in the prosecution of an auto theft and auto chop shop ring operating in the Chicago area. The trial was being held at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building in Chicago.

After arriving at the Criminal Courts Building, I got into the long line of people waiting to go through the security screening process. They had a walk-through metal detector and a conveyor belt X-ray detection system for briefcases and parcels. I could see the display screen for the X-ray detection system, and it was amusing seeing what other people were carrying in their briefcase.

As I neared the front of the line, with only one other person in front of me, I was picturing in my mind how the items in my briefcase would display. I had a large metal clipboard, which I wondered if that would block imaging any other items, a handheld stapler and…BAM! I suddenly realized that I had a loaded firearm in one of the compartments my briefcase. That struck terror in me, like getting hit by a lightening bolt out of the blue.

There was a police officer standing next to the metal detector and we were kept in line by stanchions with thick rope between them. I realized that I had to get out of line immediately. I stepped forward and around the last stanchion to get out of line and the police officer asked gruffly, "Where are you going?" I told him I just realized I had left my court papers in my car and needed to retrieve them for court. He stepped aside and told me to go ahead.

I went back to the parking garage and secured the firearm in the locking metal gun case I have secured in my car. Phew! I can imagine what would have happened if my briefcase had gone through the X-ray machine with the firearm in it. I would have been riding in the bus with the car thieves on my way to the Cook County Jail lockup. They would have loved to get their hands on me.

I did not have a license to carry at that time but was told by numerous police agencies that in my line of work to always carry a gun. They would not bother me. I don't think that excuse would have worked too well in the Cook County Criminal Courts Building.

 

[Lt92]

I fly periodically for work. Twice, through security, they have found ammunition. They just confiscated them and sent me on my way both times.

You R fortunate...don't try it in Toronto

 

[JackAsinus]

You R fortunate...don't try it in Toronto

Good to know, thank you.

 

[blume357]

Speaking of flying... I have not in about two years, but Delta loves to use the big nylon wire/cable ties on your checked luggage with a gun before they will give it back to you. I wonder if anyone who came up with this idea thought about how one is supposed to cut the nylon ties when they also won't let you have a knife. I bet all the police at the airport probably have a knife.. next time I get off a flight and pick up my bag at the office I will just ask one of them to cut the ties for me. They don't put the ties on until it arrives at your airport destination.

 

[el caminero]

Last year i flew down to phoenixx to rescue an abandoned company truck. Figured id pick up a knife at the next truck stop. Found one amongst the junk in the cab, broke open the case of waterbottles to clean it up enough to consider borrowing it, and used 3 more bottles and 1/2 a sealed roll of paper towels to clean up the seat, wheel, door, and controls, while waiting for a towtruck to arrive and stuff in enough charge to start it. Even had the time to find a nice rock and put somewhat of an edge on the junk knife, which i left with the truck on return. Carried a knife since i was 5, cannot recall the last time i dident have a knife to open things with, like case of water or roll of papertowels...them's aint allus finger-friendly...

 

[Hankus]

I just spent the last week in Vegas for a business conference. I felt somewhat “naked” without a pistol or a blade.

 

[blume357]

I carried in Vegas a number of times... get off the plane pick up checked bag... get to the rental car center... go in the rest room and gear up. You can usually slide the stupid nylon ties off anyway and if not just put a nail clipper in a side pocket of the checked bag.

 

[Sam Summey]

Last year i flew down to phoenixx to rescue an abandoned company truck. Figured id pick up a knife at the next truck stop. Found one amongst the junk in the cab, broke open the case of waterbottles to clean it up enough to consider borrowing it, and used 3 more bottles and 1/2 a sealed roll of paper towels to clean up the seat, wheel, door, and controls, while waiting for a towtruck to arrive and stuff in enough charge to start it. Even had the time to find a nice rock and put somewhat of an edge on the junk knife, which i left with the truck on return. Carried a knife since i was 5, cannot recall the last time i dident have a knife to open things with, like case of water or roll of papertowels...them's aint allus finger-friendly...

I had to throw away a really nice Cold Steel "Ice Pick" folder in the Air Port in Las Vegas once. I forgot to put it back in my baggage.

 

[epags]

Speaking of flying... I have not in about two years, but Delta loves to use the big nylon wire/cable ties on your checked luggage with a gun before they will give it back to you. I wonder if anyone who came up with this idea thought about how one is supposed to cut the nylon ties when they also won't let you have a knife. I bet all the police at the airport probably have a knife.. next time I get off a flight and pick up my bag at the office I will just ask one of them to cut the ties for me. They don't put the ties on until it arrives at your airport destination.

I carried in Vegas a number of times... get off the plane pick up checked bag... get to the rental car center... go in the rest room and gear up. You can usually slide the stupid nylon ties off anyway and if not just put a nail clipper in a side pocket of the checked bag.

@blume357
I was going to post the same..... toe nail clippers will cut through most anything. If it has one, you can break off the little file/knive and you could 'safely' carry it in you pocket or carry-on.

 

[el caminero]

@blume357
I was going to post the same..... toe nail clippers will cut through most anything. If it has one, you can break off the little file/knive and you could 'safely' carry it in you pocket or carry-on.

I round off all the sharps on my keys, so they werent any better than the brute force i ended up using

 

[Jeepnik]

I'm confused. I have put knives in checked baggage and no one has ever put any ties on them. I just make sure my firearm goes in another checked bag.

 

[blume357]

I was just talking about the checked bag with the declared gun secured in it.... and how to get the big nylon ties off.... I think the next time I will do the key thing and actually have a small flat head like screw driver on it.. this way I can actually 'unlock' the ties and keep them and use them down the road somewhere...