The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will let people carry small pocketknives onto passenger planes for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, along with golf clubs, hockey sticks and plastic Wiffle Ball-style bats.
The agency will permit knives with retractable blades shorter than 6 centimeters (2.36 inches) and narrower than 1/2 inch, TSA Administrator John Pistole said today at an aviation security conference in Brooklyn. The change, to conform with international rules, takes effect April 25.I agree with people being able to carry a pocket knife on a plane. What makes me question this is the reason for doing it. The change according to the story isn't because my pocket knife isn't a weapon and couldn't possibly harm anyone. It's not because free men should be allowed to posses whatever they want. It's because some international athority says it's the way it should be. Since when do Americans need the permission of some international standard to do anything?
I would like to point out that prior to making air planes "gun free zones" passengers used to be able to carry lots of stuff, like a loaded personal handgun. After a quick search I learned that there was never a terrorist attack with an airplane in the USA when passengers were allowed to have their own guns.
It does make sense, in a way. Which explains why it took ten years for them to do it.
ReplyDeleteWe probably have a lot of foreigners come in with items that are OK under the rules when they fly here but are not OK when they want to board to fly home.
We don't live in a free country anymore.