Airport Security Blunders: The Time Our Live Ammunition Made it Onboard

Have you ever accidentally brought prohibited items through airport security? My ex-wife and I had a similar experience in the 1990s, long before the stringent measures implemented by the TSA. Here’s our story of how live ammunition made it onto an aircraft and the lessons we learned from it.

Our Shooting Days and the Flight to Las Vegas

My ex-wife and I were passionate target shooters and enjoyed our weekends at the shooting range. We were preparing to embark on a week-long vacation to Las Vegas. However, the trip was cut short when my ex-wife reached into her purse and discovered that it was still filled with loaded magazines for her Gen 1 Glock 19. Fortunately, we had already passed the security check, and her purse had already been run through the X-ray machine.

Not wanting to lose those magazines, which were crucial for us, we decided to send her back to the car to lock them in the glove compartment and then re-enter the airport. However, this added about a half an hour to our travel time and made us realize the importance of arriving at the airport with ample time to check our belongings.

Second X-ray and the Shocking Discovery

When my ex-wife returned to the terminal, the purse was run through the X-ray machine again. This second X-ray didn't reveal the live ammunition, which was rather disturbing. In mid-flight, she needed to apply some moisturizer and, after rifling through her purse, discovered that there were roughly 10 rounds of loose 9mm, .380 ACP, and .22LR ammunition stuck in the folds of the bottom of her purse. Remarkably, the live ammunition, including two tracer rounds, made it past the X-ray undetected.

We were fortunate enough to have already landed and gotten to our hotel room, so we simply threw the ammunition into a dumpster at the nearby fast-food restaurant. The risk of attempting to re-enter the airport for a security check was too high, so we decided to dispose of it ourselves.

The Scary Realization

Given that the live ammunition went undetected both times, I couldn’t help but be concerned about what else might have made it past the security personnel. Prior to September 11, 2001, the security measures at the airport were much laxer, and the increased scrutiny came after this incident. The shocking realization was that the security measures in place were far from foolproof, and this could potentially happen to other passengers.

Lessons Learned

This harrowing experience taught me the importance of strict adherence to airport security guidelines. It also highlighted the need for heightened awareness and vigilance, particularly for those who regularly transport weapons or ammunition. Ensuring that your carry-on is free of prohibited items and double-checking your belongings before passing through security is crucial.

Conclusion

While our story has a happy ending, it serves as a reminder that even the most thorough security measures can have lapses. It's essential to be prepared and conscientious when traveling, especially if you're transporting sensitive items like ammunition. Arriving early at the airport, following all regulations, and thoroughly checking your belongings can prevent future mishaps.