TSA confiscated a 3D-printed revolver because people are terrifying - CNET

If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and follow the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Instagram account. In addition to the intermittent photos of adorable bomb-detecting dogs, you'll also see a bunch of illegal items the TSA confiscated from unwitting airline passengers.

Some are pretty typical (machetes, ninja stars, mummified head, etc.). Guns and firearms, which are allowed in check-in bags but not carry-ons, also make a large part of these items. However, at the Reno-Tahoe Inteational airport, the TSA confiscated a gun created from a 3D-printer and it was loaded with live ammunition.

"The passenger was offered the option of checking the item in carry-on baggage," said the TSA in a press statement. The passenger, however, "elected to leave the item behind with TSA." He then continued onto his flight and "there was no impact to airport operations."

The first 3D-printed gun debuted back in 2013 and was seen as an inevitability once 3D-printers became more accessible to the mainstream market. While some argue that the fear of 3D-printed guns is overblown, they're still a point of contention since they cannot be detected by x-rays and metal detectors; they can successfully fire off several rounds of bullets; and the fact that they're, you know, guns (which are controversial in and of themselves).

The 3D-printed gun was included in the TSA's weekly roundup between July 29 and August 4, 2016. During that time span, the agency discovered 68 firearms (including the revolver) -- 59 of which were loaded.