I took the family for a week of seeing some things that interest them (and me). We went to Washington, D.C. to the Smithsonian and a few other places. My experiences regarding security, specifically with regards to knives, was enlightening as well as disappointing. In case you are wondering, I have reasons for not identifying which are which.
Museum 1: Pass through metal detectors on the way in, all bags are X-rayed. I had anticipated something like this, so I left the BM 556 in the car, and I was only carrying a Moki 921, with a plastic handle and a 2.5" blade. I just walked through the metal detector, since I didn't want to show it to the security folks (I have been through many metal detectors with this particular knife).
Museum 2: No obvious security measures. (There might have been a bag check, but I did not have one, so I did not notice.)
Museum 3: Check bags, no other obvious security.
Museum 4: Hand check all bags. My wife had a small hip bag, and the "security" agent went through it. He saw the small SAK on the key chain (I don't recall what model it is, but it has a very slender 1.5" blade, a small pair of scissors, and a nail file) and pointed at it with the stick he was using to sort through the bag. "Do you see that?" He wouldn't let my wife touch it, nor would he touch it, and he did not call it a knife, but referred to it as "that object." He informed her that such things were not allowed, but did let her in with a stern warning, probably because of the mild and accommodating manner in which she responded.
Bureau of Engraving (the Mint): Didn't actually go in, since I could not get tickets, but there were large signs saying that no dangerous weapons would be allowed inside. Such weapons included things like nail files.
Battleship Wisconsin (in Norfolk): No problems. I guess they figure you can't do very much to a battleship. Neat ship.
Bus tour of Norfolk Naval Base (stay on bus, do not get off): Hand check all bags, walk through metal detector. An armed guard (and he's military, not a rent-a-cop) asks you to empty all pockets while he is watching. Had to put the Moki in the car. When I went in, I said to the guard that I thought it was ironic that I could bring a camera with me but not a pocket knife (wouldn't a camera be a much greater security risk at a naval base?). He said that such things were considered concealed weapons. I told him not according to state and federal law (correct me here if I'm wrong). As I walked away, he came up to me and said that that may be true, but it is according to the base commander's rules. I think it took him a moment to come up with that one.
Overall, as long as I was discreet, there was usually no problem. But I came away with the feeling that there is a growing paranoia and hysteria here. Are we becoming a nation of sheeple? I remember in college walking home in the rain with a .22 rifle in my hand (had gone up the canyon for some plinking) and stuck my thumb out when a car came along. A little old lady stopped and gave me a ride. Can you imagine anyone doing that now? Another time I was walking down the street with a .308 rifle. A police officer saw me and asked to see the gun. He inspected it, saw that it was not loaded, and went on his way. I'll bet I couldn't do that now. My boss (a true redneck) actually took his 20 ga shotgun to school for show and tell when he was 8 years old. He even did a demonstration of how to load it (they made him do that part of it outside). The principal and teachers came to see the gun, not because anyone was in trouble, but because they wanted to see the gun. Can you imagine this happening today? Is it only a matter of time before the same type of fear that affects public perception of guns makes public use of a knife a thing of the past?
BTW, there were several times after the first few episodes that my wife was asking me why I needed to carry a knife, since she knew we would be passing through security. I did not answer (but I think she understands).
Museum 1: Pass through metal detectors on the way in, all bags are X-rayed. I had anticipated something like this, so I left the BM 556 in the car, and I was only carrying a Moki 921, with a plastic handle and a 2.5" blade. I just walked through the metal detector, since I didn't want to show it to the security folks (I have been through many metal detectors with this particular knife).
Museum 2: No obvious security measures. (There might have been a bag check, but I did not have one, so I did not notice.)
Museum 3: Check bags, no other obvious security.
Museum 4: Hand check all bags. My wife had a small hip bag, and the "security" agent went through it. He saw the small SAK on the key chain (I don't recall what model it is, but it has a very slender 1.5" blade, a small pair of scissors, and a nail file) and pointed at it with the stick he was using to sort through the bag. "Do you see that?" He wouldn't let my wife touch it, nor would he touch it, and he did not call it a knife, but referred to it as "that object." He informed her that such things were not allowed, but did let her in with a stern warning, probably because of the mild and accommodating manner in which she responded.
Bureau of Engraving (the Mint): Didn't actually go in, since I could not get tickets, but there were large signs saying that no dangerous weapons would be allowed inside. Such weapons included things like nail files.
Battleship Wisconsin (in Norfolk): No problems. I guess they figure you can't do very much to a battleship. Neat ship.
Bus tour of Norfolk Naval Base (stay on bus, do not get off): Hand check all bags, walk through metal detector. An armed guard (and he's military, not a rent-a-cop) asks you to empty all pockets while he is watching. Had to put the Moki in the car. When I went in, I said to the guard that I thought it was ironic that I could bring a camera with me but not a pocket knife (wouldn't a camera be a much greater security risk at a naval base?). He said that such things were considered concealed weapons. I told him not according to state and federal law (correct me here if I'm wrong). As I walked away, he came up to me and said that that may be true, but it is according to the base commander's rules. I think it took him a moment to come up with that one.
Overall, as long as I was discreet, there was usually no problem. But I came away with the feeling that there is a growing paranoia and hysteria here. Are we becoming a nation of sheeple? I remember in college walking home in the rain with a .22 rifle in my hand (had gone up the canyon for some plinking) and stuck my thumb out when a car came along. A little old lady stopped and gave me a ride. Can you imagine anyone doing that now? Another time I was walking down the street with a .308 rifle. A police officer saw me and asked to see the gun. He inspected it, saw that it was not loaded, and went on his way. I'll bet I couldn't do that now. My boss (a true redneck) actually took his 20 ga shotgun to school for show and tell when he was 8 years old. He even did a demonstration of how to load it (they made him do that part of it outside). The principal and teachers came to see the gun, not because anyone was in trouble, but because they wanted to see the gun. Can you imagine this happening today? Is it only a matter of time before the same type of fear that affects public perception of guns makes public use of a knife a thing of the past?
BTW, there were several times after the first few episodes that my wife was asking me why I needed to carry a knife, since she knew we would be passing through security. I did not answer (but I think she understands).
Lol 
, I had just forgotten that it was in a hidden pocket in my wallet. Eventually I decided to retrieve my knives back from them and locked them up in the car.
