Skip to Search Skip to Left Navigation U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) - Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) - United States Department of Transportation (USDOT, US DOT or DOT)
  ABOUT RITA | CONTACT US | PRESS ROOM | CAREERS | SITE MAP
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Data and Statistics
Bookstore
Programs
About BTS
Upcoming Press Releases
External Links
Intelligent Transportation Systems
National Transportation Library
Research, Development and Technology
Transportation Safety Institute
University Transportation Centers
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Printable Version

Table 4.1
Prohibited Items Intercepted at U.S. Airport Screening Checkpoints: 2003–2004

(Number)

Excel | CSV

Items 2003 2004
Other cutting instruments 2,973,413 3,567,731
Knives 1,961,849 2,058,652
Incendiaries and explosive/flammable materials 494,123 693,649
Clubs 25,139 28,813
Box cutters 20,991 22,350
Firearms 683 650
Other 638,414 717,754
Total prohibited items 6,114,612 7,089,599

NOTES: "Other cutting instruments" include metal pointed scissors, hatchets, swords, sabers, meat cleavers, ice axes, and picks.

"Knives" are sharp bladed cutting instruments of any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery.

"Incendiaries" include explosives (firecrackers, ammunition, blasting caps, plastic explosives, gunpowder, grenades, and flares); aerosols except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities; gasoline, fuels, paint thinner, and flammable liquids; torch lighters; and strike-anywhere matches.

"Clubs" includes martial arts items, baseball bats, night sticks, hammers, pool cues, and billy clubs.

"Firearms" means any weapon (including a starter gun) that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, as well as spear guns, BB guns, fl are pistols, compressed air guns, and stunning devices.

"Other" encompasses tools, self-defense items, compressed gas cylinders, bleach, and certain sporting goods.

For further clarification about terms, see http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_5_16_2005_v3.pdf.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, Office ot Transportation Security Policy, personal communication, July 2005.