Last Updated on September 4, 2022
Key Takeaways
- The TSA rules around toy guns are not stated very clearly
- You can always bring toy guns like a nerf gun in checked baggage
- Whether a particular toy gun will be permitted on carry-on luggage is a decision taken by the TSA agent at the security checkpoint
- Toy guns that look like ”Realistic” guns are prohibited from hand luggage
- Most toy guns look like real guns when viewed on an x-ray scan
- The TSA would prefer it if passengers didn’t pack any toy guns in carry-on bags to make their job of protecting the public against the security threat of real guns easier
Toy Gun TSA Rules
The Transportation Security Administration controls the airport security checkpoint.
Here’s the relevant TSA rule about toy guns:
Regarding hand luggage the TSA says, ”While these types of toys are generally allowed, we recommend that you pack them in your checked bags. Squirt guns, toy guns, toy swords or other items that resemble realistic firearms or weapons are prohibited”
That statement isn’t very clear.
On the one hand the TSA is saying toy guns are allowed in carry-on luggage i.e. ”these types of toys are generally allowed”.
But on the other hand they are saying toy guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage i.e. “realistic firearms… are prohibited in carry-on bags”.
So if a toy gun resembles a realistic firearm it is definitely prohibited from carry-on baggage.
But how “realistic” does a toy gun packed in hand luggage need to look before the TSA considers it a problem?
Not very!
For most people a nerf gun or a squirt gun doesn’t look like a real firearm.
But the TSA are looking at x-ray scans of luggage.
A nerf gun or almost any toy gun can look like a security threat on an x-ray scan.
For that reason it is almost always better to pack toy guns in checked luggage.
The final decision is always taken on the ground by the TSA officers that inspect your luggage. They might inspect your toy gun and let if pass.
But they could also refuse to allow your toy gun through the security checkpoint. The rules are not clear.
The TSA doesn’t want passengers to travel with nerf guns or any toy gun that will resemble a real firearm when they scan your carry-on luggage with the x-ray machine at the screening checkpoint.
Still Unsure? Ask The TSA
If you want you can reach out the the TSA on Twitter and show them a photo or ask them a question.
John asked about traveling with a Nerf Gun:
And the TSA said that Nerf guns should be packed in checked bags.
David wanted to take a Bug-A-Salt in his carry-on bag:
The TSA thought that a Bug-A-Salt resembles a realistic firearm and must be packed in checked luggage.
Luna asked about bringing bubble guns on a plane:
Again the TSA said that bubble guns should only be packed in checked luggage.
John asked about bringing squirt guns on the plane:
And the TSA said John was good to go ”as long as the toy guns are packed in checked bags”.
The Bottom Line
In the eyes of the TSA social media team at least, every toy gun looks like a realistic firearm.
That means in practice all toy guns including Nerf guns can only be packed in checked luggage.
The same goes for other toy weapons like toy swords or grenades.
While toy guns are not in themselves a security threat they make the job of the TSA that much harder.