Self Defense Pens on Airplanes?

[unionguy]

Does anyone know if you can carry-on the Self-Defense pens that are advertised to an airplane through TSA?
thanks

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[PaulZ]

I had to google these having never heard of them. If you carry a "tactical" POS like what I saw through; I bet you have a 9 out of ten chance of the TSA owning it.
For the love of Pete; why not make it look like a regular pen? Or are they just for tactical tools who carry those kind of tool?

 

[Mark W.]

Just carry a quality mechanical pencil or better yet a drafting pencil.

 

[RedneckRampage]

I've wondered too, but don't know. I carry on Surefires with Defender bezels.....

 

[DBagnall]

There is actually quite a large variety of "tactical pens". Its a trend that seems to be getting more popular. Some of them look absolutely ridiculous and others look like normal pens. Surefire makes a couple of models that look very much like real pens yet serve the purpose that tactical pens are advertised to perform. (ie. kubaton, impact tool, etc...) Pens

I think generally they are supposed to serve as "last ditch" weapons. Defensive Tactics training often covers the use of a pen as a tool/weapon if all else fails...

But I would state that if you must have one and are willing to pay the small fortune that a lot of these "tacticool" pens cost, then try to get one that is inconspicuous and doesn't look like a weapon. I would recommend Surefire, CRKT, or Tuff Writer, or just getting an inexpensive all metal Parker or Sheafer pen.

In regards to whether they can be taken on a plane or not, technically it is just a pen....

 

[Stomper]

Alright, forget about all that fancy crap. I have always carried a Bic "click stick" for years, I can tell you that you can MESS a person up REAL BAD with a stab (or two) from one of those, plus they slide through security just fine... and if you lose it, go buy another for fiddy-cents.

 

[Burt Gummer]

Defense umbrellas get a pass about everywhere; too bad an umbrella just isn't my thing. Brutal weapons though, really.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO8G5zsQohg

 

[Bill Siegle]

A year ago TSA was confiscating Tac pens in Las Vegas. I was attending a knife show there and a text was sent out by a guy who was leaving early. They were fine in checked bags but nogo for carry on. Just grab a regular Bic or Parker pen. They will work just fine

 

[mistershipwreck]

I've read posts on other forums in the past claiming that they were being seized by the TSA

 

[WillMunny]

Take your "Tactical Laptop". Laser from the mouse will blind 'em & a sideways chop with the keyboard to the larynx will drop 'em. Use the power cord as a garrote and you're golden.

 

[maybeso]

A year ago TSA was confiscating Tac pens in Las Vegas. I was attending a knife show there and a text was sent out by a guy who was leaving early. They were fine in checked bags but nogo for carry on. Just grab a regular Bic or Parker pen. They will work just fine

That sounds like about the time they were telling their employees what a "kubaton" was, and what to look for.

Simple rule: if it has crenellations, or a sharp point at one or both ends with the cap still on, you might lose it... So, as suggested already, take a cheapie, and have one less thing to worry about going through airport security.