[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 206 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73537-73542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23653]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

49 CFR Part 1540


Prohibited Items

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Interpretive rule.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is amending 
its interpretive rule that provides guidance to the public on the types 
of items that TSA considers to be weapons, explosives, and 
incendiaries, which are prohibited in airport sterile areas, in the 
cabins of aircraft, or in passengers' checked baggage. This document 
adds a limited type of unpressurized gas cylinders for air guns used in 
competitive shooting to those items that may be placed in checked 
baggage but continue to be prohibited in sterile areas and aircraft 
cabins. This document also provides clarification on prohibited sharp 
objects and certain self-defense items.

DATES: This rule is effective October 26, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Keear, Requirements Development 
Branch, Requirements and Capabilities Analysis, Transportation Security 
Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, Springfield, VA 20598-
6016; Telephone (571) 422-7202; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a7568797b6a73767a4e495b145e5249145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afe0fdeceeffe6e3efdbdcce81cbc7dc81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Rulemaking Document

    You can find an electronic copy of this rulemaking using the 
internet by accessing the Government Publishing Office's web page at 
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/FR/ to view the daily published 
Federal Register edition or accessing the Office of the Federal 
Register's web page at https://www.federalregister.gov. Copies are also 
available by contacting the individual identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Statutory and Regulatory Background

    TSA is responsible for security in all modes of transportation, 
including aviation.\1\ In addition, TSA is required to screen all 
passengers and property, including carry-on and checked baggage, and 
other articles.\2\ Under TSA's regulation on acceptance and screening 
of individuals and accessible property, 49 CFR 1540.111(a), an 
individual (other than law enforcement personnel or other authorized 
individuals) may not have a weapon, explosive, or incendiary, on or 
about the individual's person or accessible property--
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    \1\ See 49 U.S.C. 114(d).
    \2\ See 49 U.S.C. 44901(a).
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    (1) When performance has begun of the inspection of the 
individual's person or accessible property before entering a sterile 
area, or before boarding an aircraft for which screening is conducted 
under this subchapter;
    (2) When the individual is entering or in a sterile area; or
    (3) When the individual is attempting to board or onboard an 
aircraft for which screening is conducted under 49 CFR 1544.201, 
1546.201, or 1562.23.
    Under 49 CFR 1540.111(c), a passenger may not transport the 
following items in checked baggage: any loaded firearms; any unloaded 
firearms unless it meets specific packaging requirements and is 
properly declared; or any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
    Since February 2003, TSA has published a series of interpretive 
rules that provide guidance to the public on the types of property TSA 
considers to be weapons, explosives, and incendiaries prohibited on an 
individual's person, accessible property, or in checked baggage, as 
well as items that may be permitted, if they clear TSA's required 
screening.\3\
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    \3\ See 68 FR 7444 (Feb. 14, 2003) (initial interpretive rule); 
68 FR 9902 (Mar. 3, 2003) (technical corrections); 70 FR 9877 (Mar. 
1, 2005) (prohibiting lighters); 70 FR 51679 (Aug. 31, 2005) 
(permitting certain small scissors that persons with ostomies need); 
70 FR 72930 (Dec. 8, 2005) (allowing small scissors and small 
tools); and 72 FR 40262 (July 24, 2007) (new enforcement policy 
regarding lighters, allowing one lighter).
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    As noted in the first interpretive rule, neither the prohibited 
items list nor the permitted items list in this regulatory 
interpretation contains all possible items.\4\ As a result, items not 
specifically included on the prohibited items list may be prohibited in 
a sterile area and the cabin of an aircraft.

[[Page 73538]]

Screeners have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an 
item into a sterile area or onboard an aircraft if the screener 
determines that the item poses a potential threat, regardless of 
whether the item is on the prohibited items list. Moreover, if future 
information or events demonstrate the need to prohibit items that TSA 
has previously considered permitted, TSA may prohibit individuals from 
bringing these items into the sterile area or onboard the aircraft 
without first publishing a change to this interpretive rule. This 
flexibility is consistent with Congress' direction that screeners be 
proficient in recognizing new threats and weapons \5\ as well as TSA's 
mission and authorities to protect transportation security from 
evolving threats. To provide as much notice to the public as possible, 
TSA has created an interactive capability for the public on https://www.tsa.gov that provides up-to-date information on prohibited items, 
including hazardous items prohibited by the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), and those that are permitted if properly packaged 
and screened.\6\
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    \4\ 68 FR at 7445.
    \5\ 49 U.S.C. 44935(h)(1).
    \6\ https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all.
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Statutory Requirements for Revisions to the Prohibited Items List

    Section 1962 of the TSA Modernization Act requires TSA to 
periodically review and amend, as necessary, the prohibited items 
list.\7\ Before determining whether to include or remove an item from 
the prohibited items list, TSA is required to: (1) research and 
evaluate the impact, if any, the amendment would have on security risks 
and screening operations, including effectiveness and efficiency; (2) 
research and evaluate whether the amendment is consistent with 
international standards and guidance, including those of the 
International Civil Aviation Organization; and (3) consult with 
appropriate aviation security stakeholders, including the Aviation 
Security Advisory Committee (ASAC).\8\ With the exception of plastic or 
round-bladed butter knives, TSA is prohibited from amending the 
interpretive rule to authorize any knife to be permitted in an airport 
sterile area or in the aircraft cabin.\9\
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    \7\ Division K, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-
254 (132 Stat. 3186; Oct. 5, 2018) as codified at 49 U.S.C. 44901 
note [hereinafter, TSA Modernization Act]. This provision is 
consistent with recommendations from a 2015 review by the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) of TSA's approach to prohibiting items 
aboard passenger aircraft. GAO published a report recommending that 
TSA review and revise the prohibited items list regularly, and 
engage with internal and external stakeholders, including the ASAC, 
in the course of these reviews. See GAO-15-261 Report, Aviation 
Security TSA Should Take Additional Action to Obtain Stakeholder 
Input when Modifying the Prohibited Items List, GAO-15-261 (Feb. 
2015).
    \8\ TSA Modernization Act, at Sec.  1962(b).
    \9\ Id. at Sec.  1962(c).
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    TSA established a process to ensure compliance with these statutory 
requirements. TSA Management Directive 4000.2 (August 25, 2021) 
establishes TSA's Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis as 
the lead office for revisions to the prohibited items list. All changes 
to the prohibited items list require review and approval by TSA's 
Executive Risk Steering Committee, a risk assessment (to include 
determining potential impact on operations), and a robust process for 
engagement with internal and external stakeholders. When determining to 
make these revisions to the prohibited items list, TSA considered, 
among other factors, known security risks based on intelligence, 
incidents, and feedback from stakeholders. From information provided by 
the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities, TSA knows that 
terrorists remain focused on attacking commercial aviation. The use of 
simple weapons in the aircraft cabin to overpower the flight crew is a 
known threat tactic.
    Impact on screening operations. TSA also considered the effects of 
these changes on screening operations, including effectiveness and 
efficiency. For example, the clarifications to the definitions of sharp 
objects being made through this revision to the prohibited items list 
are intended to reduce confusion and training burdens across the 
screening workforce, thereby enabling TSA screeners to focus more 
effectively and efficiently on searching for prohibited items.
    Alignment with International Standards. TSA reviewed all 
corresponding passenger screening security standards from the 
International Civil Aviation Organization and determined that all 
clarifications to the list are consistent with those standards.
    Engagement with stakeholders. TSA solicited input and feedback from 
the FAA, the ASAC, and several industry trade organizations with an 
interest in aviation security on the changes relating to gas cylinders 
for air guns. No external stakeholders provided substantive feedback. 
As discussed below, the remaining changes relating to definitions of 
sharp objects and club-like items are clarifications to the prohibited 
items list consistent with current screening policies; they do not 
represent changes to current limitations or requirements, and they 
neither add nor remove items from the list. Accordingly, TSA did not 
engage extensively with ASAC or other interested stakeholders when 
preparing those revisions.

Clarifications to the Prohibited Items List

    Sharp objects: Blade holding devices and table knives. TSA is 
making clarifications to the prohibited items list for categories of 
sharp objects prohibited under Section I.B. of the interpretive rule. 
As shown in Table 1, these changes include a minor revision to the 
types of permitted knives, intended to clarify the features of some 
common table knives that may be carried in the passenger cabin. The 
current text of the prohibited items list prompts recurring questions 
by TSA screeners regarding the identity of the knife as a butter knife, 
the existence of a point, the features of the blade edge, the presence 
of serrations, and how to decide if a knife with a particular 
combination of those features is permitted or not. Consistent with the 
requirements of the TSA Modernization Act,\10\ the revised text is 
intended to clarify that only knives with no sharp edges, no points, 
and no serrations are permitted. Commonly permissible examples would 
include plastic cutlery and butter knives (the butter knife exception 
is limited to knives that are round-bladed, blunt-edged, without 
serration, and no longer than a common table knife). There is no change 
to the allowance for plastic cutlery, which continues to be permitted. 
The new definition will simplify training and operational requirements 
and will allow TSA's screening workforce to focus more appropriately on 
screening for more dangerous items.
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    \10\ Id.
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    The second change provides clarification regarding box cutters and 
utility knives. Recognizing the potential for empty box cutter and 
utility knife housings to be used to enhance the lethality of a hidden 
blade, TSA determined it is necessary to provide clarification that 
both the blades and housings are prohibited.

[[Page 73539]]



  Table 1--Changes to the Definition of Sharp Objects in the Prohibited
                         Items List Section I.B.
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          Current wording                        New wording
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(5) Knives of any length, except    (5) Knives of any length, except
 rounded-blade butter and plastic    plastic cutlery and butter knives
 cutlery.                            (the butter knife exception is
                                     limited to knives that are round-
                                     bladed, blunt-edged, without
                                     serration, and no longer than a
                                     common table knife).
(7) Razor-type blades, such as box  (7) Razor-type blades, such as
 cutters, utility knives, and        blades for box cutters, utility
 razor blades not in a cartridge,    knives, and non-disposable safety
 but excluding safety razors.        razors. This prohibition includes
                                     box cutter and utility knife
                                     housings, with or without the razor
                                     blade, but excludes disposable
                                     safety razors and safety razor
                                     blade cartridges.
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    Club-like items: Cat-Eyes. Cat-eyes are a type of brass knuckle 
made in the stylized representation of a cat's face, often made of 
metal, and commonly marketed as keychains. The eyes of the cat are 
finger holes and the ears of the cat are sharp points that extend 
beyond the fingers when the weapon is held in a closed fist, as with 
other brass knuckles. TSA screeners have requested clarification on 
whether these items are prohibited, seeking clarification of whether 
the items should be treated as a club-like item or sharp object. 
Clarifying that TSA considers cat-eyes to be a type of brass knuckle 
will simplify training and operational requirements and provide clarity 
to the public.
    Gas cylinders for air guns. TSA currently prohibits all compressed 
air guns and compressed gas cylinders on person or in accessible 
property.\11\ TSA permits unloaded compressed air guns to be 
transported in checked baggage, but the agency has not included a clear 
exception for the compressed gas cylinders used in these guns through 
the prohibited items list. In response to a request from the 
competitive shooting industry, TSA examined available intelligence 
information and the characteristics of unpressurized competitive 
shooting cylinders for air guns. TSA conducted a risk analysis that 
compared the gas cylinders to other similar items that are currently 
allowed in checked baggage and found that the carriage of a maximum of 
four of these unpressurized cylinders in checked baggage would not 
introduce an unacceptable level of risk to passengers or aviation 
security, even if carried along with their associated air rifle or air 
pistol. TSA has, in the past, made limited exceptions consistent with 
this change, such as for Olympic competitors and the Wounded Warrior 
program, without incident.
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    \11\ See Sections I.A(2) (compressed air guns) and I.F(2) 
(compressed gas cylinders).
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    Through this revision to the interpretive rule, TSA is permitting 
travelers to transport up to four unpressurized compressed gas 
cylinders of limited size and capacity intended for air guns. Each 
passenger may carry no more than four such cylinders, and none of the 
gas cylinders may exceed 24 inches in length, 3 inches in diameter, or 
0.1 cubic feet in total rated volume.
    All checked baggage will continue to be screened prior to being 
loaded on an aircraft. This screening will verify that the items within 
meet the criteria for transport described in this notice and are not 
concealing other prohibited items, explosives, or improvised explosive 
devices or components. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to 
allow items to be transported, and TSA reserves the ability to prohibit 
any items that it deems to be a threat to transportation security. As 
part of risk-based security, TSA may prohibit items discovered during 
certain types of screening that would otherwise be permitted.

Future Changes to the Prohibited Items List

    Consistent with the requirements in the TSA Modernization Act, TSA 
intends to review the prohibited items list on a periodic basis and 
will revise the list as operational circumstances and the threat 
landscape may require. TSA will engage with appropriate internal and 
external stakeholders in the course of the periodic review, as required 
by the TSA Modernization Act. TSA will continue to announce future 
changes in the Federal Register and will continue to add any changes to 
TSA's ``What Can I Bring?'' list (or equivalent) on https://www.tsa.gov.

Regulatory Impact Analyses

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 of September 30, 1993 
(Regulatory Planning and Review), as supplemented by E.O. 13563 of 
January 18, 2011 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) and E.O. 
14094 of April 6, 2023 (Modernizing Regulatory Review) directs each 
Federal agency to propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its 
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) \12\ 
requires agencies to consider the economic impact of regulatory changes 
on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreement Act of 1979 \13\ 
prohibits agencies from setting standards that create unnecessary 
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Fourth, the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 \14\ (UMRA) requires agencies to 
prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects 
of proposed or final rulemakings that include a Federal mandate likely 
to result in the expenditure by State, Local, or Tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more 
annually (adjusted for inflation).
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    \12\ Public Law 96-354 (94 Stat. 1164; Sept. 19, 1980) (codified 
at 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996).
    \13\ Public Law 96-39 (93 Stat. 144; July 26, 1979) (codified at 
19 U.S.C. 2531-2533).
    \14\ Public Law 104-4 (109 Stat. 66; Mar. 22, 1995) (codified at 
2 U.S.C. 1181-1538).
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Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Assessment

    Under the requirements of E.O. 12866, as amended by E.O. 14094, and 
E.O. 13563, agencies must assess the costs and benefits of available 
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, select 
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive 
impacts, and equity). These requirements were supplemented by E.O. 
13563, which emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this 
interpretive rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094. 
Accordingly, OMB has not reviewed this regulatory action.
    In conducting these analyses, TSA made the following 
determinations:
    1. This interpretive rule explains to the public, airport 
personnel, screeners, and airlines, how TSA interprets certain

[[Page 73540]]

terms used in an existing rule, 49 CFR 1540.111.
    2. This interpretive rule will not constitute a barrier to 
international trade.
    3. This interpretive rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on 
State, Local, or Tribal governments, or on the private sector.
    This interpretive rule provides an interpretation of an existing 
regulation, 49 CFR 1540.111, to provide clarity regarding existing 
prohibitions and to narrow the scope of the prohibition by permitting 
certain compressed gas cylinders in checked baggage. As was the case 
with previous interpretive rules narrowing the scope of the 
prohibition,\15\ TSA does not anticipate that the public or industry 
will bear any compliance costs associated with this interpretive rule.
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    \15\ See, e.g., 70 FR 51679 (Aug. 31, 2005) and 70 FR 72930 
(Dec. 8, 2005).
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    The decision to allow a limited size and number of compressed gas 
cylinders in checked baggage is made as part of TSA's overall risk-
based security approach and is consistent with the requirement to 
review the prohibited items list in section 1962 of the TSA 
Modernization Act of 2018.\16\
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    \16\ See supra note 6.
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Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The RFA requires that agencies consider the impacts of their rules 
on small entities. For purposes of the RFA, small entities include 
small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small governmental 
jurisdictions. Individuals and States are not included in the 
definition of a small entity.
    The RFA does not apply to this interpretive rule and TSA is not 
preparing an analysis under 5 U.S.C. 553 as TSA is not required to 
publish a notice of proposed rulemaking.

International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from 
establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that 
create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. The Trade Agreement Act does not consider legitimate domestic 
objectives, such as essential security, as unnecessary obstacles. The 
statute also requires that international standards be considered and, 
where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. TSA has 
assessed the potential effect of this interpretative rule and has 
determined this interpretive rule would not have an adverse impact on 
international trade.

Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of UMRA, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to 
assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, Local, and 
Tribal governments and the private sector. Title II of UMRA requires 
each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing the 
effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule that 
may result in a $100 million or more expenditure (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year by State, Local, and Tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate is deemed to be 
a ``significant regulatory action.''
    This interpretive rule does not contain such a mandate. The 
requirements of Title II of UMRA, therefore, do not apply and TSA has 
not prepared a statement.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under E.O. 13132 of August 
10, 1999 (Federalism), if it has a substantial direct effect on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. TSA has analyzed this proposed rule under 
E.O. 13132 and determined that it does not have implications for 
federalism.

Environmental Analysis

    TSA has reviewed this interpretive rule for purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) \17\ and has 
determined that this action will not have a significant effect on the 
human environment. This action is covered by categorical exclusion 
number A3(b) in DHS Management Directive 023-01 (formerly Management 
Directive 5100.1), Environmental Planning Program, which guides TSA 
compliance with NEPA.
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    \17\ As codified at 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347.
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Energy Impact

    TSA assessed the energy impact of this action in accordance with 
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA),\18\ and determined that 
this interpretive rule is not a major regulatory action under the 
provisions of the EPCA.
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    \18\ As codified at 42 U.S.C. 6362.
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Amendments to Interpretation

    TSA is making the following changes to the prohibited items list:
    1. Currently, section I.B(5) reads: ``Knives of any length, except 
rounded-blade butter and plastic cutlery.'' TSA is revising this 
section to read: ``Knives of any length, except plastic cutlery and 
butter knives (the butter knife exception is limited to knives that are 
round-bladed, blunt-edged, without serration, and no longer than a 
common table knife.''
    2. Currently, section I.B(7) reads: ``Razor-type blades, such as 
box cutters, utility knives, and razor blades not in a cartridge, but 
excluding safety razors. TSA is revising this section to read: ``Razor-
type blades, such as blades for box cutters, utility knives, and non-
disposable safety razors. This prohibition includes box cutter and 
utility knife housings, with or without the razor blade, but excludes 
disposable safety razors and disposable safety razor blade 
cartridges.''
    3. TSA is revising section I.C(4) to add cat-eyes, to read: ``Brass 
knuckles, including cat-eyes.''
    4. TSA added specific citations to regulatory cross-references in 
Section III.A and III.B.
    5. TSA is adding section III.E. to read: ``Compressed gas cylinders 
for air guns. Subject to the following limitations, a passenger may 
place air-powered rifles and pistols, components, ammunition, and 
accessories in checked baggage: (1) only four gas cylinders 
specifically intended for such rifles and pistols are permitted per 
person, (2) all of the gas cylinders must be unpressurized, and (3) 
none of the gas cylinders may exceed 24 inches in length, 3 inches in 
diameter, or 0.1 cubic feet in total rated volume.''
    6. TSA made technical corrections to update statutory references, 
address typographical errors, and correct or clarify internal cross-
references.
    The following is the list of prohibited items and permitted items 
reprinted in its entirety, with the changes inserted.

Prohibited Items and Permitted Items Interpretation

I. Prohibited Items

    For purposes of 49 U.S.C. 40101 et seq., 49 U.S.C. 44901 et seq., 
and 49 CFR 1540.111, TSA interprets the terms ``weapons, explosives, 
and incendiaries'' to include the items listed below. Accordingly, 
passengers may not carry these items as accessible property or on their 
person through passenger screening checkpoints or into airport sterile 
areas and the cabins of a passenger aircraft.
    A. Guns and firearms, such as:
    (1) BB guns.
    (2) Compressed air guns.
    (3) Firearms.
    (4) Flare pistols.
    (5) Gun lighters.

[[Page 73541]]

    (6) Parts of guns and firearms.
    (7) Pellet guns.
    (8) Realistic replicas of firearms.
    (9) Spear guns.
    (10) Starter pistols.
    (11) Stun guns/cattle prods/shocking devices.
    B. Sharp Objects, such as:
    (1) Axes and hatchets.
    (2) Bows and arrows.
    (3) Reserved.
    (4) Ice axes/Ice picks.
    (5) Knives of any length, except plastic cutlery and butter knives 
(the butter knife exception is limited to knives that are round-bladed, 
blunt-edged, without serration, and no longer than a common table 
knife).
    (6) Meat cleavers.
    (7) Razor-type blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, and 
non-disposable razors. This prohibition includes box cutter and utility 
knife housings, with or without the blade, but excludes disposable 
safety razors and disposable safety razor blade cartridges.
    (8) Sabers.
    (9) Reserved.
    (10) Scissors, metal with pointed tips and a blade length greater 
than 4 inches as measured from the fulcrum.
    (11) Reserved.
    (12) Swords.
    (13) Throwing stars (martial arts).
    C. Club-Like Items, such as:
    (1) Baseball bats.
    (2) Billy clubs.
    (3) Blackjacks.
    (4) Brass knuckles, including cat-eyes.
    (5) Cricket bats.
    (6) Reserved.
    (7) Golf clubs.
    (8) Reserved.
    (9) Hockey sticks.
    (10) Lacrosse sticks.
    (11) Martial arts weapons, including nunchucks, and kubatons.
    (12) Night sticks.
    (13) Pool cues.
    (14) Ski poles.
    (15) Reserved.
    D. All explosives, including
    (1) Ammunition.
    (2) Blasting caps.
    (3) Dynamite.
    (4) Fireworks.
    (5) Flares in any form.
    (6) Gunpowder.
    (7) Hand grenades.
    (8) Plastic explosives.
    (9) Realistic replicas of explosives.
    E. Incendiaries, such as:
    (1) Aerosols, any, except for personal care or toiletries in 
limited quantities.
    (2) Fuels, including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel.
    (3) Gasoline.
    (4) Gas torches, including micro-torches and torch lighters.
    (5) Lighter fluid.
    (6) Strike-anywhere matches.
    (7) Turpentine and paint thinner.
    (8) Realistic replicas of incendiaries.
    (9) All lighters.
    F. Disabling chemicals and other dangerous items, such as:
    (1) Chlorine for pools and spas.
    (2) Compressed gas cylinders (including fire extinguishers).
    (3) Liquid bleach.
    (4) Mace.
    (5) Pepper spray.
    (6) Spillable batteries, except those in wheelchairs.
    (7) Spray paint.
    (8) Tear gas.
    G. Tools, such as:
    (1) Crowbars.
    (2) Drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power 
drills.
    (3) Hammers.
    (4) Saws and saw blades, including cordless portable power saws.
    (5) Other tools greater than 7 inches in length, including pliers, 
screwdrivers, and wrenches.

II. Permitted Items

    For purposes of 49 U.S.C. 40101 et seq. and 49 CFR 1540.111, TSA 
does not consider the items on the following lists as weapons, 
explosives, and incendiaries because of medical necessity or because 
they appear to pose little risk if, as is required, they have passed 
through screening. Therefore, passengers may carry these items as 
accessible property or on their person through passenger screening 
checkpoints and into airport sterile areas and the cabins of passenger 
aircraft.
    A. The following medical and personal items:
    (1) Braille note taker, slate and stylus, and augmentation devices.
    (2) Cigar cutters.
    (3) Corkscrews.
    (4) Cuticle cutters.
    (5) Diabetes-related supplies/equipment (once inspected to ensure 
prohibited items are not concealed), including: insulin and insulin 
loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet 
injectors; pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited 
number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood 
glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and 
insulin pump supplies. Insulin in any form or dispenser must be 
properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the 
medication or manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label.
    (6) Eyeglass repair tools, including screwdrivers.
    (7) Eyelash curlers.
    (8) Knives, round-bladed butter or plastic.
    (9) Reserved.
    (10) Matches (maximum of four books, strike on cover, book type).
    (11) Nail clippers.
    (12) Nail files.
    (13) Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use, if properly 
marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication 
or manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label.
    (14) Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited 
quantities.
    (15) Prosthetic device tools and appliances (including drill, Allen 
wrenches, pullsleeves) used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if 
carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her 
companion.
    (16) Safety razors (including disposable razors).
    (17) Scissors, plastic or metal with blunt tips, and metal with 
pointed tips and a blade 4 inches or less in length as measured from 
the fulcrum.
    (18) Tweezers.
    (19) Umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not 
concealed).
    (20) Walking canes (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are 
not concealed).
    B. Toys, hobby items, and other items posing little risk, such as:
    (1) Knitting and crochet needles.
    (2) Toy Transformer[supreg] robots and the like.
    (3) Toy weapons (if not realistic replicas).
    C. The following types of tools:
    (1) Pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and other tools 7 inches or 
less in length, excluding crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws.

III. Items Prohibited in Sterile and Cabin Areas, but Permitted in 
Checked Baggage

    Passengers may place prohibited items other than explosives, 
incendiaries, disabling chemicals, and other dangerous items (other 
than individual self-defense sprays as noted below), and loaded 
firearms in their checked baggage, subject to any limitations provided 
in the Department of Transportation's hazardous materials regulations 
provided in 49 CFR part 175.
    A. Pepper spray or mace. A passenger may place one container of 
self-defense spray in checked baggage, not exceeding 4 fluid ounces by 
volume, but only if it incorporates a positive means to prevent 
accidental discharge. See 49 CFR 175.10(a)(9) and 49 CFR 171.8 for 
other applicable requirements.

[[Page 73542]]

    B. Small arms ammunition. A passenger may place small arms 
ammunition for personal use in checked baggage, but only if securely 
packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically 
designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. See 49 CFR 175.10(a)(8) 
for other applicable requirements.
    C. Unloaded firearms. A passenger may place an unloaded firearm or 
starter pistol in checked baggage if the passenger makes the following 
declarations to the airline operator, either orally or in writing, 
before checking the baggage: (1) the passenger has a firearm in his or 
her bag and that it is unloaded; (2) the firearm is carried in a hard-
sided container; and (3) the container is locked, and only the 
passenger has the key or combination. See 49 CFR 1540.111(c) for other 
applicable requirements.
    D. Club-like items. A passenger may transport club-like objects and 
sharp objects in checked baggage, as long as they do not contain 
explosives or incendiaries.
    E. Compressed gas cylinders for air guns. Subject to the following 
limitations, a passenger may place air-powered rifles and pistols, 
components, ammunition, and accessories in checked baggage: (1) only 
four gas cylinders specifically intended for such rifles and pistols 
are permitted per person, (2) all of the gas cylinders must be 
unpressurized, and (3) none of the gas cylinders may exceed 24 inches 
in length, 3 inches in diameter, or 0.1 cubic feet in total rated 
volume.

IV. Lists Are Not Exclusive

    Neither the prohibited items list nor the permitted items list 
contains all possible items. A screener has discretion to prohibit an 
individual from carrying an item into a sterile area or onboard an 
aircraft if the screener determines that the item is a weapon, 
explosive, or incendiary, regardless of whether the item is on the 
prohibited items list or the permitted items list. For example, if a 
cigar cutter or other article on the permitted list appears unusually 
dangerous, the screener may refuse to allow it in sterile areas. 
Similarly, screeners may allow individuals to bring items into the 
sterile area that are not on the permitted items list. In addition, 
items may be prohibited from the cabin of an aircraft, or allowed in 
only limited quantities, by Department of Transportation regulations 
governing hazardous materials. Individuals with questions about the 
carriage of hazardous materials on passenger aircraft may call the 
Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922 for more 
information.

    Dated: October 20, 2023.
David P. Pekoske,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-23653 Filed 10-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P


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