Apparently, carrying a real gun means you're not really qualified to carry a fake one:

http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/traveling_with_guns.shtm

Our Office of Law Enforcement / Federal Air Marshal Service would like to remind officers and agents not to transport prohibited items through security checkpoints or onboard aircraft while traveling armed. Regulations surrounding prohibited carry-on items such as lighters, stun gun devices, replicas of firearms and knives are covered in the training material, as well as information regarding security checkpoint procedures. Particular attention should be given to the prohibition against carrying hazardous materials, such as pepper spray or mace, in carry-on bags. For more information read our prohibited items section.

(keeping voice down) ok fellow jihaders, here's the plan. first we get the air marshal to reveal himself by having one of us act crazy. anybody qualified to do that? ok, then. now, the rest of us grab him & go through his pockets. don't grab his gun, look for the replica gun or the cigarette lighter. we need the lighter to set off the bomb. what? what if he doesn't have a lighter? oh. i never thought of that.

It reminds me of when the war in Iraq was just starting....some of our armed forces were sent by commercial air carriers..... they were stopped at the checkpoint and advised that they were not permitted to carry on the 'bayonet' for the M16. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> Thus the 'bayonets' were placed into checked baggage.

They were, however, permitted to continue straight through the checkpoint carrying their M16's !!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Go figure.

You folks want logic? And you're looking for it in airports and government? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sue