Discovered by the TSA – 2012 Edition

People have always tried to get some interesting items past the TSA inspectors at U.S. airports, but 2012 brought some truly extreme items. In 2011, the TSA found a fair number of snakes, turtles and birds, along with more than 1,200 firearms. Here are our top 10 picks for 2012 from the TSA blog’s weekly report:

10) An unloaded pen pistol à la 007

9) Myriad inert grenades, including one stuffed full of marijuana

8) Ninjas must be invading the U.S. if the sheer number of throwing knives and stars are any indication

7) Stun guns disguised as smartphones or punching weapons, similar to brass knuckles

6) Hidden swords or knives in canes, lipstick tubes, contact lens cases, hairbrushes, guitar cases and credit cards

5) Speargun (discovered in May in Raleigh-Durham)

4) Several flasks of black powder, including one Revolutionary Era-style powder horn

3) An old military bazooka round, which caused law enforcement in Dallas Fort Worth to establish a 100-foot perimeter around the item, evacuating the baggage area and terminals nearby, delaying five flights for nearly an hour and a half

2) Disassembled firearm and ammunition in three stuffed animals, placed there by a mother aiming to discredit her son’s father during a custody battle

1) A wide range of firearms, at regular weekly counts from 25-45 across the U.S.