Tactical pens serve as a self-defense weapon. They are discreet tools that are used to protect yourself in case an attacker reaches you in an unexpected situation. If you are in a bar or at a restaurant or anywhere where weapons are normally not allowed you can still be protected. Unlike more bulkier everyday carry (EDC) options like a tactical knife. The biggest question most people have since it is an EDC item is whether the TSA approves of it and if you can take a tactical pen in an airport.
Is a Tactical Pen TSA approved?
The TSA has not come out and approved tactical pens in general but they have issued a guideline on pens. Their guidelines can be broken down into :
- Are Pens (NOT tactical pens) allowed on carry-ons? YES
- Are Pens (NOT tactical pens) allowed on Checked Bags? YES
Basically, the TSA has no explicit guidelines on their stance on if tactical pens are allowed on planes.
TSA safe Tactical Pen
The problem is that the TSA considers a tactical pen a weapon *. That means that a tactical pen is NOT allowed on a plane because of its potential to be used as a weapon. If you get caught carrying a tactical pen through airport security you could be issued a criminal summons, which is exactly what happened to someone on this forum.
This story is more on the extreme end but it could also happen that they do not perceive your tactical pen as a threat. This is where the asterisk comes in to play because tactical pens vary on how rugged or like a weapon it looks and the TSA agent that you come in contact with would choose whether it is perceived as a weapon or not. Unfortunately, that is the sad truth of how the TSA works when permitting tactical pens. Most people are able to get away with it but it is not worth taking the risk.
Note: This also applies for the people looking to find out if a Gerber tactical pen is TSA approved. It is NOT officially approved.
TSA stole my Tactical Pen
If they catch you with a tactical pen more than likely they will just confiscate the pen from you and will not pursue the matter further because of it, after all, a pen. The TSA has the right to take away the tactical pen from you and it is generally not worth arguing with the officer. It would only delay your trip or get you into more trouble than you would already be in.
However, this does not stop you from putting the tactical pen in your checked in luggage. The TSA has guidelines for martial Arts weapons and they allow them to be taken in the checked in bag. This is because since it is checked it is out of reach of the passenger and TSA agents. In conclusion, you can carry your tactical pen when traveling but just put it in your checked baggage to avoid trouble with the TSA.
I always carried my benchmade pen,
I’m TSA precheck and I’ve been thru screening no less than 15 times with no issues till leaving Vegas Friday then busted and they kept it. I wish TSA was consistent.
Maybe there grumpy from the shut down.
What is wrong with TSA? My hands are lethal weapons, my rolled up magazine is a lethal weapon, and the edge of my MacBook Air is a lethal weapon. Why not amputate my hands, take my reading material, and steal my laptop. There is no more freedom.
I would venture to guess that if you are going to try and carry a tactical pen onto a plane, you’ll want it to look as unassuming as possible. With that said, when I travel, I always carry a backpack with my laptop on the plane, and usually have a number of pens. I’ve never had the bag double checked after it has gone through the scanner. Therefore, burying the pen in a backpack should make it easier to get through. Thoughts?
Same experience here. I’ve carried a tactical pen in my carry on many times through many different airports, and have never been questioned about it. I always keep it in the bag, never on my person. The pen I carry actually doesn’t scream “weapon,” but just appears to be a large pen. It does, however, have a good pointed writing end, and the other end has what the manufacturer refers to as a “DNA collector.” Looks some like a crown and has sharp edges. Markings on the barrel are the UZI logo. Fits nicely in the hand, exposing both ends if gripped like a weapon.
I am an employee at an Airport and I have to go through the Employee portal, which is manned by the TSA as well as the Airport Police, everyday. Several months ago a TSA Agent said is was OK to bring it through in my purse and then yesterday it was confiscated by the TSA. This information if very helpful.
Thank you for the information. When did TSA not allow tactical pens for carry on? I have been allover the US by flying and I never heard this before until last week flying into Maui from Oahu. I got stopped by a TSA screener but the supervisor let me through with it because she didn’t see the issue. And this how I found your story. However, I travel with several pens and it just blends with the others and it’s for this reason I have never been stopped. However, this time I only had two pens and one was plastic. and that’s how they found it.
We have had two tactical pens for three years and have traveled extensively around the world. So today we are at DTW and one of the pens is confiscated. I argued and made my point. The. Walked away. What is ironic is that an electric tooth brush with the tight force in the correct vein is just as dangerous. TSA is the biggest joke in travel. Inconsistent at best .
I’ve never had my tactical pen confiscated but 3 folding scissors, mini can opener were taken and 2 tubes of toothpaste of which one was half empty but the tube said 3.4 oz. I could use my regular pen or rolled-up magazine better than folding scissors as a weapon. If you are TSA recheck you have been vetted out to allow you to fly why the additional scrutiny.
The whole problem is the inconsistency of TSA inspectors, which is why in some airports certain things are OK and in others, it’s confiscated. TSA needs to have consistency and follow what Israel does. They don’t have “gray areas” and are clear about their regulations. They’ve also NOT had any problems since they began their screening of passengers.
Love my tactical pens, and usually no problem with pens, but as noted, sometime not ok, and small tools regularly confiscated. Funniest one for me was in Costa Rica – I worked for a top Defense Contractor, so had to have one of those steel cable locks for my laptop…. they confiscated it! Amazed reaction from me, then I realized… a case hardened steel lock wieght at the end of six foot of braided stainless steel cable with a loop in the end would make a great mace, whip, flail, garrot, or noose. Yeah, get a computer lock instead of a tactical pen! Bought 2 when I got home!
Knowledge is power, but timing is everything!