Government

Security Fail: Loaded Gun Passes Through TSA Screening

How could a loaded gun pass by dozens of airport security screeners, through an x-ray machine and get on board an international flight out of an American airport? According to Iranian-American businessman Farid Seif, it happened to him last fall when he forgot to remove a loaded snub nose “baby” Glock pistol from his laptop case, but TSA security officers never noticed.

“It’s just impossible to miss it, you know. I mean, this is not a small gun,” Seif said. “How can you miss it? You cannot miss it.”

But the TSA did miss it, and according to ABC News, this faltering security scenario is much more a common than anyone would like to admit.

Experts tell ABC News that every year since the September 11 terror attacks, federal agencies have conducted random, covert “red team tests,” where undercover agents try to see just how much they can get past security checks at major U.S. airports. And while the Department of Homeland Security closely guards the results as classified, those that have leaked in media reports have been shocking.

According to one report, undercover TSA agents testing security at a Newark airport terminal on one day in 2006 found that TSA screeners failed to detect concealed bombs and guns 20 out of 22 times. A 2007 government audit leaked to USA Today revealed that undercover agents were successful slipping simulated explosives and bomb parts through Los Angeles’s LAX airport in 50 out of 70 attempts, and at Chicago‘s O’Hare airport agents made 75 attempts and succeeded in getting through undetected 45 times.

Despite the results, there is no sign that the numbers have changed as the screeners have been tested year after year, former Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin told ABC News.

“Those reports were classified but it’s sufficing to say that reports, both classified and unclassified, are concerning. Too often guns and knives and fake explosives get through the checkpoint,” Ervin said. “And what is particularly concerning is that nine times out of 10 the checkpoint is the most critical layer of aviation security.”

Security Fail: Loaded Gun Passes Through TSA Screening

Ironically, news of the TSA’s failure to detect a loaded weapon during a routine x-ray screening of luggage comes amidst public outcries over the security organization’s new, more invasive pat-downs and body scans.

Comments (103)

1 2 3
  • PITMASTER
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:14pm

    Just wait until the TSA unionizes. You’ll be able to sneak an RPG through. If you’re Mafia, the TSA will give them a gun. Muslim? A free foot bath and two hail Mohammed’s. A Christian? Two drug dogs, a pat down and a complimentary cavity search. Bring latex gloves with you to the airport because two can play that game.

    Report Post » PITMASTER  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:09pm

    the TSA goons were too busy molesting all the American white women and children.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • krenshau
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:05pm

    Here’s how you get the TSA to find bombs. Give the agents big boobs and a hot body and they will do a pat down. Now, if only we could get the terrorist to use sexy smugglers and we would be sure no dangerous material would get through.

    Report Post »  
  • silveracer44
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:36pm

    Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8wSquKIBog

    Loose Change (documentary on 9/11 truth)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yx9NRX37SM

    Report Post »  
  • jagr1850
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:31pm

    m/b THE TSA will simply ask passengers “did you bring a gun today by mistake ” ?
    if they are embarassed to ask …they can just place a tiny sign near the x ray machine…
    did you pack a weapon today ?….i feel safer knowing the TSA might find stuff and even discover their first terrorist one day.

    Report Post » jagr1850  
  • mtnclimberjim
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:22pm

    I’ve sent weapons through a few times in a full size backpack when I was going on climbing expeditions.
    3 times to CO, 2 times to AK and 2 times to WA another time I sent one in my baggage going to Ireland, They lost my baggage for two weeks and I figured they just found the gun but later they called me to come and pick up my bags and not a question asked.. I get away with it all the time. One time coming back from Israel I had to surrender my knife to the airline and they mailed it back to me.
    Merry Christmas

    Report Post » mtnclimberjim  
    • Phillip J Fry
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:09pm

      I got a dive knife through the X-Ray scanner once. At the time I thought I just got really lucky, turns out the odds were in my favor.

      Report Post » Phillip J Fry  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:17pm

    all of this screening is not going to stop anyone , it never has and it never will , all of this is to give you a false security to make you feel safe ,, only way to stop these terrorist is with profiling like all other countries do

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
    • sina23077
      Posted on December 19, 2010 at 12:46pm

      You want to stop the terrorists? Stop pretending you live in a world where you are given the “freedom” to be ignorant. Yes you are free to do what you want in the USA….i am an american citizen. But if you’re government is terrorizing the rest of the world….you have to deal with the consequences. The US has military bases in over 70 countries and if you think this is a policy designed to keep peace you are fooling yourself. Besides not being aware of what the government is doing….look at your average comments on the page. Full of ignorance. People referring to the man in the new article as an ARAB….IT SAYS HE IS IRANIAN!!!! Yet you still call him an ARAB and simply because you are ignorant people. Simply feeding on whatever ever the government and corporate news media dish out to you. Wake up and BE a part of the world instead of standing by and watching your government trying to take it over.

      Report Post »  
  • heyjms
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:11pm

    They aren’t looking for guns and bombs or possible terrorists. They are looking for your rights, dignity and self-respect.

    Report Post » heyjms  
  • Carrie3570
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:02pm

    This same type of thing happened to me. I boarded in Nashville, flew to LAX, and then Monterey. The entire flight I had a large pair of scissors in my carry on bag. The reason was I forgot to empty a pocket in the bag, I normally use it for scrapbooking. When I went through security, they did take an unopened bottle of liquid make-up and throw it away because it was .5 over the ounce limit. Funny thing is, my make-up was in the same bag as the scissors. It’s almost as if they look for the typical things people might not know about or try to sneak on, like make-up, tweezers, lighters, etc. They don’t notice a gun, large pair of scissors, or any other item like that because that isn’t what they are looking for.

    Report Post » Carrie3570  
  • neverending
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:00pm

    Anyone here surpised? I certainly am not!

    Report Post »  
  • No Fortunate One
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:53pm

    Not a surprise at all. Recently, the Great and Almighty TSA let my partner take onboard an OPENED bottle of water, which she put in plain sight. Nitroglycerin anyone? The TSA is a pathetic joke, just like the US government. To “Resolved:” The Great and Mighty Oz will never allow Israel to advise us on security matters. They – dare I say the word? – yes, I dare, PROFILE. Oh, horrors of horrors! No! No! The word that must never be spoken has been spoken! I guess I‘ll be joining Assange soon in the US government’s retribution. C’es la vie. Won’t be the first time… Peace, all.

    Report Post »  
  • mdlwoods
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:52pm

    ROFLMAO! Wow! They really kept that plane safe, huh?

    Report Post » mdlwoods  
  • Disabledvet
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:48pm

    I don’t care if they pat me down, just talk dirty to me and buy me dinner.

    Report Post »  
  • 1AmericanJo
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:44pm

    Well, I don’t know about you but that makes me “feel” safer. Don’t you? I’ll tell you what this is….its‘ a pointless loss of American Freedoms if it can’t even detect a Glock. The money put forth into this program should have been used to put a small dent in the National debt and profiling (and no, I’m not speaking of racial profiling) used. Come on America get back to a little common sense!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:50pm

      It’s behavior profiling you mean. They won’t do that either.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • boxofpens
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 11:14pm

      The TSA doesn’t do ANY type of profiling!! My husband and I have been interrogated 4 times by El Al (Israeli Airlines) just because we have different last names and were traveling together. In contrast: The stoned schlubb TSA agent at Newark barely glanced at our passports while waiving us and everyone else through the line. What a joke. Oh, those o-so-sharp TSA folks did however, confiscate the little pointy thing they found in the packaged microscope set I bought for my 4 yr old nephew. Idiots!

      Report Post » boxofpens  
  • Bad Thunder
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:44pm

    Ah…. the Glock 26 Subcompact 9mm, nice little piece….Magazine Capacity: 10 to 12 Subject to local laws and regs……….

    Report Post »  
  • jrcess
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:44pm

    Very simple, you have employees with an IQ of 50 and the woman running the show with one of 60.

    Enough said.

    Report Post »  
  • bethtravers
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:42pm

    Wow, now if we had just took him aside and asked him if he was carrying a weapon… profile etc. His mistake would have been discovered….Instead thier frisking 3 year olds and grandma’s and women with big boobs!!! Stupid big government at it’s best.
    We need private security companies who specialize in profile like the Isrealis!!!

    Report Post »  
  • the_ancient
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:41pm

    Personally I think they should enclose the seucrity line, and have a partition/platform that moves you, while your little cube moves towards the “agents” you are to stip down while “agents in another room” observe you, then you put on name orange government approved jump suits, Up on arriving at the agents stations will will be Xrayed, and patted down using an “enhanced” method.

    You will not be allowed any carry on, or electronic devices, not jewelry or non-government approved clothing

    Maybe then we can all be safe, and secure.

    Report Post » the_ancient  
  • cheezwhiz
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:41pm

    First they tell me the noodie scanners can’t see a PETN pancake taped to a jelly belly of a fatty,
    Now they tell me a gun can go through x-ray screening ?
    I know what will solve this security problem.
    TSA should start giving a pass to muslims at airports, and concentrate on inserting fingers in orifices of American people and groping their boobs and junks.
    Right Genitalia Nopales-tano ? The system worked, right ???

    Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • Matthew
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:40pm

    TSA would rather divert everyone’s attention to machine strip searches, groping, and fondling rather than admit they fail to catch guns and bombs. Worse, that they have yet to stop a single terrorist attempt.

    Report Post » Matthew  
  • troyvar
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:39pm

    This guy gets through with a snubby glock and they took my swiss army money clip (with very small blade.) At least I didn’t get thrown down.

    Report Post » troyvar  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:38pm

    the reason this gets through, and that these reports are kept secret is that this isnt about safety or keeping these items off planes.

    it is all about control, spending cash and feeding unions.

    train the populace to accept this as normal

    spend cash to keep budgets artificially high………municipalities do this everywhere at the end of the year, because if they dont spend the money , they get less the next year. ever wonder why the same road gets repaved over and over again?

    and unions expect payback for their contributions, so they require more members, which requires more programs to place these new members into……….regardless of effectiveness or actual necessity

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • Resolved
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:36pm

    It’d be one thing if they were taking my porno pic and touching my junk and actually being productive. This tells me that’s not the case. Israel, come teach us how to secure our airports. Pleeeeez

    Report Post » Resolved  
  • Papahall08
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:35pm

    Of course they missed this guy…they were too busy giving a nun a full cavity search. Plus that name makes me think if he were checked more closely it would have been “profiling”.

    Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:47pm

      Looks more like a dry run to me.

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Highland
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:53pm

      1) They were afraid to search him too carefully for fear of being branded “profilers.”
      2) They’re incompetent.

      Besides, there was an 88-year-old WWII veteran requiring additional scrutiny at the time. He looked shady.

      Report Post » Highland  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:38pm

      That is it exactly, they don‘t want to be accused of profiling so they don’t look at an IRANIAN American man. We wouldn’t want to hurt anyones feelings. Except, of course, for little old folks and children.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:29pm

    Time to get even more invasive then, huh?

    Report Post » N37BU6  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:42pm

      How could a loaded gun pass by dozens of airport security screeners, through an x-ray machine and get on board an international flight out of an American airport?
      ——————
      …because the TSA wanted to .

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:42pm

      That’ll be their solution. The real solution is to look for the terrorists like El Al does. They‘re more intent on violating everyone’s rights than doing something that’ll actually work. They need more crises, so they can not waste them.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:46pm

      Free anal probes for everyone!!

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • cubber
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:48pm

      Maybe they thought it was a roll of quarters. BE PREPARED.

      Report Post » cubber  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:55pm

      Money talks !!

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
    • 12 gauge
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:09pm

      If the gun wasn‘t in someone’s underwear or bra, TSA doesn’t bother looking for it. They only look in the “fun” places…

      Report Post »  
    • ME
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:13pm

      but put a pair of canons on a good looking woman and I bet they feel them up every time, I mean find them every time.

      Report Post » ME  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:33pm

      Not to worry .. they found that extra ounce of shampoo ….

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:35pm

      12 Gauge .. too true. I think they only hire the really dumb and preverted.

      Report Post »  
    • Susan Harkins
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:43pm

      Bingo…the TSA will do this ONLY to ratchet up what they are doing — in the name of protecting the people from that loaded gun that slipped through…

      What’s next TSA? We know that you are trying to terrorize us on purpose! You are STAGING this whole thing just to start protests because you know that, right now, your tactics are not justified! THE ONLY THREAT IS YOU AND YOU NEED TO BE DISMANTLED AND STARVED OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS!!!

      Report Post » Susan Harkins  
    • nhall729
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:59pm

      Time to outsource to Israel.

      Report Post »  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:16pm

      !!!!????!?!?!?!?!

      wut!

      wut!!

      YEAAAAAHH!!!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:23pm

      He was from Iran. What else do you need to know. If his name was Bob Jones and he was a combat veteran from Idaho he would be serving life right now.

      Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:24pm

      Its all form over substance. The administration is so concerned about not offending the Muslims that they are turning back flips searching old ladies and kido’s and have missed the priority of the screening process. Instead of focusing via profiling the TSA agents are making sure they collect enough representative samples i.e. people to stay within the PC guidelines. And what do you get….missed bombs, guns and whatever else is being smuggled. I quarantee you we are less secure at the airports today than we were before 9/11.

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

      They already have been, this is in response to this report which they knew long ago and just now reporting to you and me. Also the Christmas day bomber. I pity the TSA agent who is a real good person, needs the money and some arse like this Iranian businessman FORGETS to take is loaded weapon out of his brief case. He or she will be gone in a TSA minute.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:52pm

      The carnie fairest wheel ticket takers did find a load gun……… surprise

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 7:13pm

      We’re all terrorists now.

      Welcome to the Police State.

      http://www.prisonplanet.com/police-trained-nationwide-that-informed-americans-are-domestic-terrorists.html

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 7:39pm

      The only reason they didn’t see it is that he is an Arab, not an American grannie!

      Report Post » DagneyT  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 7:51pm

      Susan, forget dismanteling TSA if they get unionized.

      Report Post »  
    • Anarchy_in_the_USA
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 7:55pm

      Of course they missed the gun, they are hiring from the same cesspool that the DMV and every other gov agency hires from. It‘s more about quota’s and appearances than protection.

      Cut the numbers in half, double the salary’s and hire the men and women that are retiring from our military for these jobs AND ARM THEM. They are trained and are familiar with the cultures.

      These dead beat glorified mall cops that were drug off the welfare doles for these jobs aren’t going to protect anyone, “Man it‘s to fo’ my (union mandatory, it’s comining) break, I can’t be bothered with Obama Bin Laden, or what eva’ his name is right now !!!”

      Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 9:46pm

      I feel so safe now because of the wonderful job the TSA is doing. Heck I might even fly again if either Hillery or Pelosi will lend me her broomstick.

      Report Post »  
    • *************************
      Posted on December 17, 2010 at 11:11pm

      Oh, that was only Neo & Trinity (and never mind all the dead TSA agents) …

      Neo & Trinity OPT-OUT (!!) TSA’s Illegal No-Warrant Searches – “We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore!”
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_NqhTG70ow

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on December 18, 2010 at 9:49am

      The gun didn‘t have genitals so TSA wasn’t interested.

      Report Post »  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on December 18, 2010 at 12:49pm

      Um, not to come to TSA’s side on this, but there is zero proof that this claimed incident ever occurred. Please do call me un-PC, but I wouldn‘t take this guy’s taqqiya claim seriously. Well, hold on now, since TSA refuses to treat muslim like they do the rest of us, this might be plausible.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 19, 2010 at 3:05pm

      Well of course a gun got through security look who was carrying it.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love