TSA Hassles Pregnant Florida Teen Over ‘Pistol’ Design on Her Purse
- Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:31pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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A pregnant Florida teen claims she missed her flight back home from Virginia after Transportation Security Administration agents at the Norfolk airport took exception to the gun she was packing.
That is, the gun design on a purse she was packing. News4Jax reports on Vanessa Gibbs’ unpleasant encounter with TSA agents in Virginia that caused her to miss her original flight, and then land in Orlando rather than her home in Jacksonville:
“She was like, ‘This is a federal offense because it’s in the shape of a gun,’” Gibbs told News 4 of her experience with TSA. “I’m like, ‘But it’s a design on a purse. How is it a federal offense?’”
Agents eventually figured out that the gun was a fake, but according to Gibbs, told her to check the bag or turn it over.
By the time the inspection had ended, the pregnant teen missed her flight, and Southwest Airlines sent her to Orlando instead, worrying her mother, who was already waiting for her to arrive at Jacksonville.
Gibbs claims she has traveled with the favorite purse many times without trouble, including her original flight from Jacksonville to Norfolk.
While it may seem shocking that security officials would put so much effort into inspecting the purse, Yahoo News reports that the TSA says the design could be considered a “replica weapon,” something that the agency has banned since 2002. Gibbs tells News 4 that she finds it hard to make that connection to her carryon.
“Common sense,” she said. “It’s a purse, not a weapon.”
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Comments (184)
ares338
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:45pmI have flown 2 times in the last 15 years and I have had one nightmare and one good experience. I won’t go into the nightmare but my last flight was strangely surreal. All of the security personnel were helpful and nice as he11. I still hate the experience and will always travel by car unless it’s an emergency.
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:56pmThe TSA are a bunch of morons. Banning “images” of guns embroidered into a handbag, or even banning bely buckle art with guns on them, is part of the DEMOCRAT agenda to demonize guns in American culture.
This explains why I refuse to fly. And why I will never submit to a TSA molestation gig at an airport, on a road, at a border, or anywhere they try it.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:05pmThe TSA does it because they CAN…the American people put up with it…so, they deserve this! It is like the Jews in Germany paying for the tickets to ride the trains to the death camps…by the time the people have had enough, it will be too late!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:08pmRemember the autistic adult who had his PLASTIC hammer taken away from him? They’re the fascists with too much power.
Report Post »db321
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:20pmWere does the TSA find these Morons – Eliminate the TSA and turn Security over to a Private Enterprise – I am tire of Government Political Correctness and Union thuggery.
Report Post »bringiton
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:25pmAZDEBI: I couldn’t agree more. Thank you.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 9:03pmSo if you have KISS’s “Love Gun” on your I Pod, you will be banned? What about “Happiness is a warm Gun”, “Hit me with your best Shot”, or any Guns n Roses song.
Soon they won’t let you on if you have gas, it will be considered a flammable substance.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:53am“The TSA does it because they CAN….”
Thanks for the simple reminder, AZDEBI.
Report Post »MAKE IT AN ELECTION ISSUE. It‘s important that people don’t get used to it and forget that we can certainly find a better, much better way. It is scary that these agents are unable to do anything but blindly follow rules. A stupid and corruptible system. Check out Drudge for the story of the 85 year old woman who was strip searched. My guess is that they figured a senior going to Florida for the winter might have a bit of cash or whatever……and would be less likely to complain….
GETLIFE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:59amOOPS, sorry Blaze! I see you have that story too.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 8:13amanother wtf moment brought to you by the tsa. when i worked i would have to take as many as four flights a week. after i retired this tsa and strip search cr-p became the norm. i haven’t taken a flight since. when you give up your freedom for security you will lose both.
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 9:39amI asked via email all of the candiates if they would disband the TSA if they became president..only one answered..and he said yes..Ron Paul was the respondent..
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:14amI have flown my concealed carry weapon with me twice on airplane with me in a checked bag. I declared it and TSA gave me no problems at all. It’s pretty ironic I can fly with a real firearm and she gets hassled for a picture of one. She nailed it when she said “Common Sense”; that‘s mostly what’s lacking in society these days.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:23am@Caniac Steve
That’s the best ad for Ron Paul yet. No slamming the other candidates, no hyper support, no being rabid.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:38pmGood on Ron Paul for his stance on this idiot alphabet soup agency. The only other candidate I’d suspect to even consider challenging the existence of such a govt. agency would be Bachman. The rest of the field (and Cain is out, so I’m not including him in this lot), at one time or another, have exhibited their love for more govt. Remember, the TSA was foisted on us during the George W. Bush administratioin.. and pretty early on for that matter. Text book example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions.
Report Post »The TSA agent(s) involved should be drug tested and receive a performance evaluation for this nuttiness. If you’re too inept to differentiate between a real weapon and a poorly cast solid image, how could anyone think you’re capable of protecting the flying public? No retraining… just canned.
V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:14pm“TSA Hassles Pregnant Florida Teen Over ‘Pistol’ Design on Her Purse.”
Seeing as how guns are legal in America and uniformed public employees overstepping their authority are abhorrent, lets hassle the TSA over the NAZI DESIGNS ON THEIR FEDERAL AGENCY.
RESIST THE NAZI POLICE STATE!
ESPECIALLY RESIST THE TSA, THE POLICE, SHERIFFS, MILITARY, ETC. WHO DON’T SUPPORT THE OATHKEEPERS.ORG!
Report Post »bets
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:28pmHello I do not fly either and will not fly until the TSA has a leash put on it.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 7:35pmdon’t put up with the TSA. No one. I repeat, NO ONE has authority over anyone else, unless, the person or people are violating others rights and need to be stopped. End of Story. Authority only exists because we let it exist. WE are the authority. We elect people to protect our rights and our borders, NOT to take them away. If we all exercised our 2nd amendment right, society, as a whole, would be a lot more polite and level headed. The best national defense is a well armed public.
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 9:36pmDealing with the TSA via the next election(s) is one way to get them disbanded.
The other legal way is for people to start legal challenges for harrassment and for any violations of your person. We need a team of lawyers willing to pursue this and a funding organization to pay for it.
If I was this girl it would be for lost time/wages & flight and harassment, if that grandmother in the wheelchair, I’d be starting at $500mil for humiliation and unlawful search.
it is utter bs that just because they print it on your ticket or have a sign on the wall that it automagically negates your constitutional rights, this MUST be challenged all the way to the supreme court.
The simple solution is the right to a travelers pre-vetting, IE your local police or sherriff know who you are and can vouch you are who you say you are….. Hummmm wait !
it’s called a PASSPORT !
SUE them into submission !
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:56amRight now, the TSA is limited to airports. And we are lucky it is. In the future it will be assigned greater responsibilities that will expand their ‘authority’ beyond the confines of airports and luggage into the interior of the country.
“Transportation and Security”, much like “interstate commerce”, occur and are needed throughout the nation. Thus will be born the KGB of the U.S. and the upper chain of command for the obama army will be formed.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:45pmGet rid of the TSA, they are a foreshadow of the madness from the Fed’s soon to break loose.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:06pmI agree 100% homeland security is a massive waste of tax payer money and harassment of its citizens and cost us loads of money to keep running.
I bet if we went back to the way airports were before 9/11 we would be just as safe if something does happen I would still keep it just as free as before 9/11 just being a vigilant person would do the same thing and get the same outcome without bankrupting America with the cost of all this protection.
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:34pmIf you think what you’ve seen so far since bHo was sworn in as President is bad, just get ready for the year 2012. Not knowing if he will be re-elected, I suspect bHo will try and do everything else remaining on his list of schemes designed to conclude this Republic. I believe he and his lackies will fan the flames of hatred throughout 2012, then declare that an exigency exists. That automatically brings into play the first section of every single Federal regulation which allows cabinet secretaries and the President to ignore the regulations and govern the way they personally pefer (aka a dictatorship). Then, bHo will sign a Declaration of Nationwide Martial Law; which will cause many things, including cancellation of general elections. I will be most pleasantly surprised and happy to be wrong on this. But—–
Lord, come quickly.
Report Post »E-ROCK 1791
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:38pmIve never been on a plane, I used to be afraid of flying. Now I wish I would have flown when I was younger. Now I’m afraid of being molested or radiation damage just to get on a flight. I’ll stick with my big comfy SUV get around.
Report Post »E-ROCK 1791
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:39pmSUV to get around*
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:25pmWhy does the headline identify this young lady as a “Pregnant Teenager”? What does that have to do with the story? Did she go into premature labor?
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:18pmCould you imagine what the liberal national media would have done with this story if the person with the gun emblem had been a muslim or rag head? people would have lost their job for signaling out muslims and would have been called racist for pulling such a stupid stunt.
Report Post »CommonSenseTalk
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 11:50pmThey only check white old, pregnant, disabled, people. Just dress as a Muslim with your face covered and you can walk right threw. Don’t worry I know the people who clean and restock the planes would never leave weapons on a plane for a friend. They can write messages on the bottom of the plane so I’m sure we are safe. Not!
Report Post »ticktockoma
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:20pmIf we all dressed like the mulims, what would the TSA do then? LOL
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:17pmA few years ago, my husband and I were taking a flight out of Eugene, Oregon. I was selected to have my luggage and carry-on (my purse) checked by the TSA. So they went through my suitcase and found nothing. Then they had me empty my purse so they could wipe down the inside with this little piece of cloth. They explained that this cloth would turn a certain color if there was any gun powder residue or expolsive residue in my purse. Well, I started to feel worried because that was the purse I carried my concealed weapon in. Of course, I didn’t have the weapon, I’d left it at home. So the guy gets done wiping down my purse, holds up the piece of cloth and tells me I’m clear. I gotta tell you. My husband and I still laugh about that. I’d been carrying my weapon and two magazines in that purse for about two years! You’d think that little piece of cloth would have detected something.
Report Post »bringiton
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:29pm“Welcome to fascism island!“ ”The plane! The Plane!
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:15pmWhat is stupid is they)(airport security) are terrified to do anything that might upset the muslim community that they overlook many security concerns , but they are concerned about a friggin design? This should tell everyone with a brain the sad state of the United States . There are to many cultures and every one of them is suspicious of the others and wants to focus on making them look like an enemy. This is completely sad.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:12pm“Agents eventually figured out that the gun was a fake”
I feel soooo much safer now.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:40pmBut it looks so real! How dare the bedazzler?!
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:10pmThis is insane and not even the least bit funny. I mean, I would laugh if it were inconsequential, if the agent saw it on the x-ray and was momentarily alarmed and inspected the purse and sent her on her way. But this situation is a lot more like someone running you over in a car and saying “just TSA policy”. Or raping you and calling it policy. Or stripping you in front of others and calling it policy.
Maybe the Penn State guy could get off by saying it was merely athletic departmental policy.
How much will Americans take?
For me, ALL freedom is already gone. There really is no reason or excuse to live like this anymore.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:10pmI wonder if she has a licence to carry that purse.
Report Post »Texchick1984
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:05pmThose who give up liberty for safety deserve neither…. Paraphrase of quote by Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »Ella
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 8:57pmBenjamin Franklin was a very wise man!
Report Post »rwest
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:05pmI carry on my key chain one of the fired blanks that was part of the 21 gun salute over a friend killed in Viet Nam in 1968. Can you believe TSA idiots wanted to take it. This piece of brass has an obviously fired primer in it. A hole with a key ring thru the power area and the blank extension where a bullet would go. I had to argue for 20 minutes and explain to the idiot that there is no way that piece of brass can hurt anyone. I showed him a sharpened pencil in my computer case that i could kill him by stabbing him in his neck but they had no problem with the pencil. Who hires these idiots anyway. Flying out of Detroit, you are inspected by Muslims. Isn’t that a great idea? Come on America, stand up and lets take back our rights. Vote conservative in November and pick your conservatives carefully. Maybe we should do like the democommies and vote all our dead relatives too. God Bless what is left of Americal.
Report Post »rwest
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:06pmwhoops should have proof read before sending. change power to powder.
Report Post »TruthBeSpoken
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:21pmI have flown in and out of Detroit (DTW) many times in the past few years. It has got to be one of the worst, if not the worst airport.
Report Post »I flew back to Fl. (From Detroit) the Friday after 9/11, they had more observable security that day, no pat downs ect., I felt more comforitable that day with the National Guard, their dogs and their guns than I have since.
Oh RWEST, I did bring back some of the shells from my Dad’s 21 gun salute, as well as the flag. TSA told me no problem, to put them in my checked luggage.
Too funny about the pencil! Surprised they didn’t break the tip off after you told them about your weapon :)
COFemale
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:05pmDon’t forget they accosted an 85 year old grandmother in a wheelchair. I am sorry can we just use common sense and fire all of TSA and hire people who actually graduated from high school and/or college.
I actually sent my resume to TSA in Denver and yet to hear anything, of course I have a Master’s degree so that could be my downfall.
Report Post »cyclops
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:09pmLOL……….Hey you are fortunate because they could not afford to pay you a Masters pay scale…….LOL!!!!!
Report Post »cyclops
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:02pmOh grow up TSA……..Welcome to our world of paranoia…….
Report Post »preppymom
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:58pmI’m still trying to figure out how my fingernail clippers can kill someone. A gun design on a purse? Shoot someone with that and you got some serious skill.
http://www.crackingthemalecode.com/
Report Post »Unfair, Unbalanced but amazingly accurate
hadenoughinpa
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:56pmWell just like everything else in this regime Big Sis and her DHS are getting beyond stupid what next will farting be considered a threat to national security also. The real threat is the current administrationand the cronies that are running it
TEA
Report Post »azjoannie
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:35pmAMEN – let’s vote this joke of an administration OUT in November!
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:53pmWhat we have here are government burocrats on steroids.
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:52pmSafety without Liberty is persecution. Remember, this could be you, so, while you are deciding in 2013 whom you want to represent you and preserve your inalienable rights think about this incident which is just one of many that occur everyday. Think long and think hard.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:07pmI am afraid it doesn’t matter who we vote for is it is just another career politician. They are going to take us to the same place. Anyone who would stand up for us will be demonized and driven out of the race.
Report Post »The fix is in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BNx642Tj9cc
eternalhostility
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 8:47pmWell I hope you will be voting for Ron Paul because he is the only one that will stop the tss and other madness. You think Newt will? He will make it worse and expand it. Rememer, and I am no fan of Obama, we have Bush to blame for dhs and this tsa. Not Obama.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:51pmtsa morons. we are a disgrace as a free country. repeal the patriot act. lets get on with our lives. if the terrorists want a fight, bring it on. and please, get rid of the tsa.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:48pmC;mon wikileaks, time to release TSA employees personal info.
Report Post »freedom4ever
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:42pmidiots!
Report Post »Ella
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 9:01pmYou’re being kind. They’re way way beyond idiots. They probably got bored since the traveling public is just normal American citizens with no bad intentions so they detained this young girl because they can. One of those TSA geniuses should have checked to see if ‘the gun’ had any bullets.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:41pm“Common sense” ??? these are jack booted Thugs .. they don‘t have any common sense and won’t question an “order” .. that is why they were hired. I suggest she get another bag for travel .. because these people are dumber than dirt.
TEA!
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 7:41pmMy sentiments exactly. Booger eating morons!
Report Post »RamboTheDog
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:41pmAnd they wonder why we keep saying “We need to take this country back”
I flew several times right after 911 – without being fondled or bombarded by radiation.
This will only end when lemmings who fly finally protest by not flying.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:42pmHaven’t flown in years .. and won’t.
TEA!
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 5:02pmOut of Control. All the power and no oversight.
Report Post »I traveled the last time this spring when I flew to the UK twice and was molested in the US and virtually walked through every time in the UK. I will fly no more – use Go to Meetings or like software and hold online meetings. Very cost effective and you avoid prison time when you flatten some one who does what no other human being has ever done to me in my lifetime (the urge to swing was VERY STRONG!).
We need to either adopt the Israeli approach or go back to contractors accountable to local authority.
chips1
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:55pmThree trips across the U.S, by car and it was cheaper and America is beautiful. Lots of sights to see and people to meet. Back roads are best. Many RADIATOR SPRINGS out there.
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:40pmThe real problem here is that she mentioned “common sense”. We do need a Department of Common Sense in the Government (after half of the Departments are defunded) but I am not holding my breath.
This is pure harassment of our citizens by an out of control agency.
One of the first acts when the Dems are thrown out would be to turn this over to local airports and have them hire contractors, which was the original proposal in the law creating the TSA.
2012
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 4:40pmIt is a TSA clerk problem = an idiot abusing/misusing their power and authority.
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