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New Undetectable Weapon Could Slip By Security At Airports This Summer
July 03, 2007 1:06 PM
As security is increased at airports across the country this holiday, a new potentially lethal weapon that does not set off metal detectors could also slip by security screeners because of their clear see-through design.
Lexan knuckles, also known as "glass knuckles" or "knuckledusters", are bullet-proof, razor-sharp and advertised by online vendors as "undetectable by airport metal detectors".
Jason Shepherd, owner of an online retailer of glass knuckles, confirmed that the potentially lethal knuckles will not set off airport metal detectors and security screeners may not even notice them because of the clear see-through design.
"My slogan is don't let them know what hit you. They’re not meant to be seen" Shepherd told ABCNews.com's "The Blotter".
Passengers are not allowed to carry brass knuckles on airplanes, but glass knuckles are not included on the TSA's list of restricted items published on their website.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
When asked about the security risk of glass knuckles getting by screeners, a TSA spokeswoman told ABC News she had "never heard of them".
Regardless, the spokeswoman said it was "not a concern" because "a number of additional security measures taking place in and around the aircraft, would preclude anyone, even if they were successful in bringing this weapon on board, from what would they do with it."
Jason Shepherd attests that the clear knuckles can do a lot. "They are made to rip through skin, and anyone can do damage with them."
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
July 3, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (89)
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A punch can easily be blocked and then countered.
Posted by: Blackaurora44 | Jul 3, 2007 4:27:10 PM
These are we need. Thugs and crimninals running around with these. Are we really this stupid?
Posted by: Mike | Jul 3, 2007 4:35:23 PM
To all you "shoot the messenger" types; terrorists and other criminals don't learn about weapons from news reports. The job of a reporter is to inform the public. Of course if you'd rather not know about things that could harm you, you could simply stop reading news web sites, newspapers, and magazines, and stop watching television. So go find a hole to crawl into, and leave the rest of us alone - and stop blaming the press for everything!
Posted by: Bob Robinson | Jul 3, 2007 4:59:13 PM
Glass weapons have been around for decades. (As have many other items the average person wouldn't even dream of.)
Bottom line is that the good guys are aware, and security measures continually evolve.
TSA needs to become more efficient in training those in the trenches. You must realize most of the screeners fit into the average person catagory.
Posted by: Steve Long | Jul 3, 2007 6:14:10 PM
They can have my Glass Knuckles when they pry them from my cold dead fingers!!!
Posted by: Joe Blow | Jul 4, 2007 3:26:50 AM
I wanna punch you in the face with my glass knuckles, and take over the world...
Posted by: Jazz | Jul 4, 2007 9:44:20 AM
Interesting... Okay, I'm confused.
1. ABC 'Ben Wei Reports' just told the public to go buy weapons from Jason Shepherd online.
2. Jason Shepherd was quoted by ABC 'Ben Wei Reports' that it's easy to do damage on a plane with his product.
If a plane is injured because of this article, who goes to prison? Jason? Ben Wei? Both?
'Terrorism' is the act of causing extreme fear. This unnecessary writing promotes fear. When the next terror act happens, I'll be over on another network for coverage.
Posted by: Not Happy | Jul 4, 2007 11:14:21 AM
"Thanks to your story, many more people know about these things now (namely bad-guys). No one in my office had ever heard about them. Why do you have to glorify this stuff?"
An informed public can prepare to deal with these things better than an uninformed public. People who want to use things like this can find them or just create them. Just think of the number of lethal weapons made by prison inmates out of whatever is handy. Or do a search on ebay for "plastic knife". It's truly amazing.
Posted by: cautious | Jul 4, 2007 1:48:41 PM
Toothbrush+lighter is a scarier weapon, this is just a concern to those who are living in the Matrix...what about Martial Arts? How you gonna screen for that? Muscles? Size? Bad Attitude? America, wake up from the dream...
Posted by: Greg Sudderth | Jul 4, 2007 5:28:39 PM
Yea these look scary. You could also do some damage with a spork. That doesn't mean someone would be able to get away with hijacking a plane full of people with one.
Posted by: Maxxzilla | Jul 4, 2007 6:47:47 PM
A tooth brush, with a strong thick handle can be sharpened (with a fingernail emory board) after boarding an aircraft and turned into a very nasty plastic Ice pick style weapon, so banning these things would help, a little, but if you are creative, innovative and just a little bit handy, the bad folks will prevail, if we, aren't thinking along these lines and second guessing what they may do next....
Posted by: A Vietnam Vet | Jul 4, 2007 7:26:18 PM
we as a people are concerned about stupid things in this world? The glass knuckle thing is stupid. How bout being concerned about our national debt, our civil rights, our privacy, our pres that states he and buddies are above the law. I love my country. Doesn't everyone realize the obvious! As long as we are fearful, the people writing laws will continue to chip away at our freedoms. I keep hearing that our troops are protecting my freedom. While my government, who is supposed to be a representative of me(the people) try to take it away. Why are all the jobs going away, thank our present and a few past presidents for not vetoing free trade. We can't compete and they know it. How can we compete with $.50+ labor?
I am sorry to say OUR FLAG DOESN'T Represent what is used to. Just a thought, what does our flag represent to peoples in other lands?
Posted by: An embarassed citizen | Jul 5, 2007 1:04:43 AM
I agree that the press is offering free advertising for this product by this article, but would you rather information be censored like in China? Would you like for some "panel" to decide what's in the best interest of the people of America and censor content? We usually raise hell when our free speech if snuffed. Make up your mind.
Posted by: Gerald | Jul 5, 2007 10:28:54 AM
Do you think that just because you never thought of it they haven't? If things like this scare you then learn to defend yourself, or sit in your home scared to leave. There are millions of things everyday that could harm or kill you, but beacuse you are oblivious you don't complain.
Posted by: Branden | Jul 5, 2007 12:20:02 PM
I have a big problem with what someone is able to do AFTER PASSING SECURITY....ever bar in every terminal serves BOTTLED BEER. I have had many myself :)......BUT, how easy is it to just throw a few empties in your carry-on and break them on board and use them like the box cutters were used? All I can say is that I am an unofficial air marshal now...i dont sleep on a plane anymore, I only take aisle seats, get as close to the front as I can, and I walk the aisle myself once in a while just to stretch and look around. I do not tell anyone, but I am very, very alert and hope others are too. We cannot forget.
Posted by: sean | Jul 5, 2007 12:38:04 PM
How sad that a resident of any country would be proud that s/he has a product that can get past a metal detector on a plane. Isn't the goal to stop terrorism and violence against all countries and against all individuals? I personally do not believe this great nation's freedom means freedom to do whatever one wants at whatever cost to our neighbors and fellow mankind. This is just plain greed and stupidity.
Posted by: KC | Jul 5, 2007 12:38:08 PM
The media never ceases to amaze me. How many idiots out there probably never thought of this or other things the media "reports" on? Way to go guys, give the new terrorist on the block a brilliant idea.
Posted by: Julian | Jul 5, 2007 12:50:35 PM
It would be great if you removed this story ???? from your listing. You guys don't get it. Jerry
Posted by: Jerry | Jul 5, 2007 2:00:10 PM
You know what's a good idea, underminding the freedoms that everyone in this country seems to hold so dear by bashing the media for doing it's job and hating the people who have a right to sell weapons. If we are going to drop the first and second ammendment, then maybe the rest should go too, dont you think? Besides, when was the last time you heard a terrorist say that he got the idea from a freaking news article?
Thank you to all you "patriots" who have posted here today.
Posted by: Christopher | Jul 5, 2007 2:44:14 PM
I think all passengers should carry a set of these things. That way when an islamo-fascist tries to take the plane, the passengers can beat the snot out of him. I like it.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 5, 2007 4:30:10 PM
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