Customs agents not allowing soldiers to return home with their fighting knives.
Customs agents have not been allowing soldiers to return home with any knife over 4" long in their checked baggage. Many soldiers had to throw their Ka-Bars and other privately purchased knives in the trash before they could board a plane home.
When I returned home from Iraq, I got around it by via registered mail through the USPS.
I suspect that customs agents are enforcing their own policy rather than US law when they make soldiers throw their knives in the trash rather than allow them to bring them home in checked baggage.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rep. Jenn Coffey on -
Sounds like that to me too, especially if they are going home to a state where they are legal. This is why we need to change federal laws, just have to find someone willing to do it.
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Permalink Reply by George Kelley on -
I used to be a PCO in the GOP to get pro-2A voters to the polls on election day. The primaries are especially importiant.
Rep. Jenn Coffey said:Sounds like that to me too, especially if they are going home to a state where they are legal. This is why we need to change federal laws, just have to find someone willing to do it.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh White on
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I certainly going to contact my elected representatives and burn their ears about this affront to our returning military members. This is obviously another stupid bureaucratic snafu. We all need to speak out.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Sobieck on -
Even though the anti-knifery of Customs was brought into focus in the last couple years, the agency has a storied history of knife grabs. Most often, this includes prohibiting importation of knives by domestic companies. Usually, this means the company has to pay hefty fees to get the knives off the dock.
So your story, George, isn't surprising. It reflects a general attitude at Homeland Security, which oversees Customs. It's outrageous that anyone should be denied transport of a legal knife, especially a soldier.
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Permalink Reply by Rep. Jenn Coffey on
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I sent a copy of this conversation to Congressman Guinta, I hope he can do something about it.
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Permalink Reply by Cara D on
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This is not unusual. I haven't personally had an issue with sheath knives, but there is always an issue with auto's. Even if you are issued one by your unit, you have to prove to the agent that it was issued to you. Most folks I know don't carry around the hand receipt for the knives and heaven help you if it is a non-standard auto, you may not even get through even with paperwork.
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Permalink Reply by hank hill on
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I BET THE U.S CUSTOMS DUDES GET TO KEEP SOME OF THE KNIVES "THEY" MAKE OUR WARFIGHTERS THROW AWAY!
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Permalink Reply by Ben Sobieck on
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Anyone with personal experience dealing with Customs about this issue, please get in touch with me at Ben.Sobieck@fwmedia.com. BLADE wants to hear from you.
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Permalink Reply by Rep. Jenn Coffey on
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Cara did this happen to you or someone you know with an auto?
Cara D said:
This is not unusual. I haven't personally had an issue with sheath knives, but there is always an issue with auto's. Even if you are issued one by your unit, you have to prove to the agent that it was issued to you. Most folks I know don't carry around the hand receipt for the knives and heaven help you if it is a non-standard auto, you may not even get through even with paperwork.
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Permalink Reply by Ed. Fowler on
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The way I view the situation is that the bureaucrat enforcing his own rules "for the protection of the people" and not having to face a vote by the people to remain in his position of power is the greatest threat to our freedom - yesterday - today - and tomorrow.
Judges have to face a vote of confidence, why not bureaucrats?
Hopefully the greater our ability to communicate via the internet can reduce this threat. As long as folks continue to depend upon the bureaucrat for their safety we sacrifice our freedom.
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Permalink Reply by Rep. Jenn Coffey on
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I have sent on all the stories I have received to Congressman Guinta who has told me he will look into this issue. I have hope that he will do something about it as much as possible. It seems from the stories we are dealing with different entities, one being the TSA, US Customs, and Military Customs so there is a lot of work to be done. At least we have started the conversation by bringing the issue to light. I will keep working on this.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh White on
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I sent the initial information provided by George Kelly to Congressman Dan Webster. I think we can at least generate interest in this issue.
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