The TSA Would Like You to Stop Putting Batarangs in Your Carry-On Luggage

In spite of the middling reviews for Batman v Superman (and, now, for Suicide Squad), the Batman fandom has seen a huge resurgence in the past few months. How can we tell? Because the TSA has been documenting an inexplicable new trend of people trying to put Batarangs in their carry-on baggage—not plastic props, either! We’re talking about realistic metal Batarangs that could really do some damage.

The Hollywood Reporter has the full round-up of various stories from TSA agents across the country, all of whom keep running into Batarang-filled bags lately. Take, for example, this set found in a bag at the San Francisco International Airport this week:

These #Batarangs were discovered in a carry-on bag at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). While prohibited in carry-on bags, these may be packed in checked luggage. #TSAGoodCatch

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 28, 2016 at 4:47pm PDT

And, seriously, that’s only the beginning when it comes to this bizarre trend. Check out the blades on these things!

This camouflaged double-bladed folding #Batarang (complete with belt clip) was recently discovered in a carry-on bag at Chicago O’Hare (ORD). #TSAGoodCatch

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on May 20, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – Another #Batarang was discovered in a carry-on bag. This time it was at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Next time, leave your batarang in the bat cave, #Batman!

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Apr 17, 2016 at 11:26am PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – Batarangs are becoming more and more common and it’s important that you know they’re prohibited in carry-on bags. They can be placed in your checked baggage along with your grapple gun, bat-saw, collapsible bat-sword, and other utility belt items. These were discovered in a carry-on bag at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:15am PST

#TSAGoodCatch – Our officers found some more batarangs this week. This time it was at Boise (BOI) when 4 batarangs were discovered in a carry-on bag. For those not in the know, a batarang is a bat-shaped throwing weapon used by the Caped Crusader.

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Aug 15, 2015 at 7:25pm PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – These #batarangs were discovered in a carry-on bag at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). While all throwing weapons are prohibited from carry-on bags, they may be packed in checked bags as long as they don’t violate any local laws.

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 17, 2015 at 1:09pm PDT

Normally, I’m all for calling out the TSA for their unnecessary searches and bureaucratic over-reach. But, um, in this case? They’re in the right. I mean, all of these Batarangs are clearly weapons. Maybe if they were plastic, this would be a fun gag, but they’re metal. So, no thanks.

Imagine the type of person who would try to bring a Batarang on a plane. Every responsible member of Batman Incorporated should know better! Such a person truly deserves to remove their shoes every time they go through security.

Be responsible with your Bat-weapons, folks. Put them in a checked bag, or mail them home to yourself.

(via io9, image via Batman: The Animated Series Wiki)

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Maddy Myers

Maddy Myers, journalist and arts critic, has written for the Boston Phoenix, Paste Magazine, MIT Technology Review, and tons more. She is a host on a videogame podcast called Isometric (relay.fm/isometric), and she plays the keytar in a band called the Robot Knights (robotknights.com).

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