What are 'cat eyes'? TSA issues urgent warning over surge in passengers carrying banned items

More passengers are trying to sneak so-called 'cat eyes' through airport security, which has prompted a warning from the TSA.

Cat eyes are self-defense weapons similar to brass knuckles, but have pointed edges shaped like a cat's ears. 

The user slips two of their fingers through two holes - the eyes - then close their fists so the sharp edges are sticking out. This allows the person to slash at others with a punch.

Some of them are metal and others are plastic, but most of them conveniently attach to keychains and cost as little as $10.

'The frequency in which we are seeing these items among carry-on items is disappointing,' said Bart R. Johnson, TSA's Federal Security Director for 13 airports in upstate New York.

He continued: 'We come across these items daily and it slows down passengers who must stop and wait for our officers to remove the offending item and it backs up the line for the other travelers.'

The TSA has been aware of the proliferation of cat eyes since last year, when the agency amended a rule to classify cat eyes as a type of brass knuckle.

Brass knuckles, like cat eyes, are not allowed in carry-on bags but can be stowed away in checked bags.

If a passenger is found to have cat eyes in their bag at a security line, officers will pull them aside and search their bags.

They can either return the weapon to their car, hand it off to someone that isn't traveling with them or hand it over to an agent so it can be disposed.

'Our officers are diligent in their duties and are good at spotting these weapons using the technologies at our checkpoints. I commend them for their continued vigilance and ask travelers to be equally diligent themselves and leave these items at home when packing for a flight,' Johnson said.

'The TSA told KTLA that cat eyes have become common at other airports around the country, not just upstate New York.

Recently, TSA agents have had to confiscate a record number of weapons in general last year, coming into contact with 6,737 firearms last year. Of that total, 93 percent of the guns were loaded.

Around 1,800 were interdicted by the agency in 2013, meaning airports have seen nearly three times as many firearms in the last 10 years.

'We are still seeing far too many firearms at TSA checkpoints, and what's particularly concerning is the amount of them loaded, presenting an unnecessary risk to everyone at the TSA checkpoint,' said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. 'Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in carry-on baggage.'

But finding guns in people's bags isn't even the most unusual thing TSA agents come across.

At the end of 2023, the TSA put out a list of its 'best catches.'

Passengers tried to board planes with throwing knives, rockets, a switchblade concealed in bread, and marijuana in a diaper.