SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The majority of the flying public would never try to go through security at Salt Lake International Airport with a four blade fighting knife in their carry-on luggage. But a few months ago someone tried to do just that. In fact, passengers still try to take all kinds of dangerous and banned items on their flights.
On Monday, ABC 4 was given an exclusive look at what TSA agents have been collecting over the past few months. Some of it was unbelievable.
A hammer, knives, gun powder, ammunition, toy and paintball guns, the nose cone of a military projectile and the top of a laser guided bomb. That is a partial list of the the collection of confiscated or abandoned items from Salt Lake International Airport. TSA Security Director Vera Adams says it's a real show and tell of weaponry, bad decisions and forgetfulness.
While some of the items - like emergency flares - make you scratch your head, there is also a very serious side to the problem. Adams says, "We have actually found "ten real firearms at the airport."
And that's just since the beginning of the year. Anyone caught with a real gun can get a $7,500 fine plus, criminal penalties.
Despite being prosecuted or just losing something you own, Adams says its seems people just continue to try to bring dangerous weapons on their flights. "In some respects the further we get from 9-11 the more memories fade and they tend to forget what they are not supposed to not bring in their carry on," said Adams.
Adams says showing off all the confiscated items is just another attempt to get the message out to would-be passengers about what they can and can't bring on a plane.
The TSA has a "what you can and can't take on board" app for your smart phone at:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/mobile/index.shtm Confiscated or abandoned items can be purchased at:
http://www.gsaauctions.gov
