TSA removes nunchucks, saw blades and more from carry-on bag at LaGuardia

Forget that soda bottle or errant tube of toothpaste.
One airline passenger thought it was a dandy idea to place a six-pack of sharp or potentially dangerous items into his carry-on bag at LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Sunday.
It was quite the array, totaling three saw blades, one pair of nunchucks, a switchblade and a folding knife for good measure.
However, the Transportation Security Administration doesn't approve of such things as carry-ons. The items were caught during pre-departure screening, and the agency later sent out a "lump of coal" chastisement on Twitter highlighting the incident:
"A lump of coal for this guy for the holiday. Six prohibited items among a traveler's carry-on items at @LGAairport on Sunday - 3 saw blades, nunchucks, a switchblade and a knife that folds into a bullet-shaped sheath. @TSA recommends packing these items in a checked bag."
TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein, who posted the tweet, told CNN Travel in an email Monday afternoon that the items were not illegal, but are prohibited in carry-on bags. They are allowed, however, in travelers' checked luggage.
"So no arrest. The individual repacked them in a checked bag and continued their trip as planned," Farbstein said.
What reason did the traveler have for such a stash in their carry-on? "They said they were moving," Farbstein said.
A CORNUCOPIA OF ITEMS
It remains to be seen if this passenger's array of sharps would be among the TSA's most unusual recent finds.
Each year, TSA releases its "Top 10 Catches," a roundup of the most bizarre items the agency has confiscated. While there's still most of another month to go for weird items to surface for 2022, TSA's 2021 list included:
- Bullets hidden in a deodorant stick.
- A breakfast burrito — with meth in it.
- A can of bear spray.
Click here to find out what the other seven items were.
So next time you're flying and you have an urge to put that baseball bat, bowling pin and boxing gloves in your carry-on, check here first and find out which one of the three is allowed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, says sperm donation restrictions make him feel like a 'second-class citizen'
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.

Quebec woman shocked to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Actor Ryan Reynolds surprises students during tour of Toronto college
Canadian Actor Ryan Reynolds dropped by a Toronto college on Wednesday, surprising students in the midst of a school project.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Hockey team of preteen Ukrainian refugees arrives in Quebec City for tournament
A team of preteen Ukrainian refugees that have been scattered across Europe by war arrived Wednesday in Quebec City, where they'll get the chance to compete in a renowned hockey tournament.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Help still needed for Ukrainian refugees: Community organizers
Nearly a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, community organizers say there is still work to be done to help the thousands of Ukrainian refugees looking to start a new life in Canada while coping with the hardships they've faced coming here.
After a radioactive capsule went missing in Australia, could the same happen in Canada?
After a tiny radioactive capsule went missing in the Australian outback, an expert in Canada says the likelihood of the same happening in this country is unlikely, given our strong regulations governing the handling of radioactive materials.
Canada Post honours Chloe Cooley with stamp for Black History Month
As Black History Month gets underway, Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp honouring Chloe Cooley, a young Black woman who was known to challenge her enslavement in the late 18th century.