The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a public warning amid a spike in passengers carrying “cat eyes” through airport security in a news release shared last month.
Cat eyes are self-defense weapons similar to brass knuckles that feature pointed edges resembling a cat’s ears above holes, resembling eyes, where a person slips in their two fingers and closes their fist, allowing the ears to be used to slash or stab another individual. Cat eyes are prohibited from carry-on bags but can be left in checked bags.
Cat eyes, which typically cost $10 or less, are made of metal or plastic and are commonly attached to keychains, according to the TSA.
“The frequency in which we are seeing these items among carry-on items is disappointing,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for 13 airports in Upstate New York. “Our officers are diligent in their duties and are good at spotting these weapons using the technologies at our checkpoints. I commend them for their continued vigilance and ask travelers to be equally diligent themselves and leave these items at home when packing for a flight. We come across these items daily and it slows down passengers who must stop and wait for our officers to remove the offending item and it backs up the line for the other travelers.”
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