That's not C-4.....It's my denture cream!!

So, you going see your grandfather at the retirement village he now calls home.  During that visit, he tells you about his planned trip to Detroit.  As a security expert, you warn him about crime and other security-related issues there.  He politely nods and then reaches for his ankle and says, "Stop worrying......I got this covered", as he pulls up his trousers to reveal a fully-loaded semi-automatic pistol on his ankle.

The good folks at TSA stumbled upon one such "packing grandpa" at Detroit Metro Airport.  During a routine scan using "imaging technology", a .38 handgun was found on the unidentified 76 year old's ankle.
The man informed authorities he had forgotten the weapon was on him when he went through security.  As you can imagine, TSA wasn't buying it and promptly sent Gramps to jail.

How much time is he looking at?  Well, if the judge decides to give him the maximum sentence, it's not looking good.  Though, he's free on bail, U.S. Statute 49 USC §46505 makes it a crime subject to fine, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both, if a person “when on, or attempting to get on, an aircraft in, or intended for operation in, air transportation or intrastate air transportation, has on or about the individual or the property of the individual a concealed dangerous weapon that is or would be accessible to the individual in flight.” Additionally, under 49 USC §46303 “[a]n individual who, when on, or attempting to board, an aircraft in, or intended for operation in, air transportation or intrastate air transportation, has on or about the individual or the property of the individual a concealed dangerous weapon that is or would be accessible to the individual in flight is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation”.

Just in case you're wondering if finding loaded firearms at checkpoints is a rare occasion, the TSA informs us that it us quite ordinary:

Our officers found 25 loaded firearms and 4 unloaded firearms in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday. Here’s a rundown of the 29firearms our officers kept off of airplanes this week:

• 12/2: BTR – Loaded .40 - BNA- Loaded .40 w/ One Round Chambered - LAX - Loaded .40 w/ One Round Chambered - BZN – Loaded .380 - SJC – Loaded .38 - IND - Loaded .40 w/ One Round Chambered - RSW - Loaded .38 - CLE – Unloaded .38 - DFW – Loaded 9mm w/ One Round Chambered - MIA - Loaded 9mm w/ One Round Chambered
• 12/3: DEN – Loaded 9mm
• 12/4: DEN - Loaded 9mm - BNA – Unloaded .25 - MCO - Loaded .380 -MEM - Unloaded .38
• 12/5: No Firearms Found!
• 12/6: PDX – Loaded .380 - IND – Loaded .22 - AUS – Loaded .380 -DAL – Loaded .22 w/ One Round Chambered- FLL – Loaded 9mm
• 12/7: MCO – Loaded .22 - MDW – Loaded .357 - JAN – Loaded .40 -LIT – Loaded .380 w/ One Round Chambered
• 12/8: BNA - Loaded .380 w/ One Round Chambered - PDX – Loaded .22 - LAX – Unloaded .45 - TPA – Loaded .38 - TPA – Loaded .45

While not all of these involved 76 year old citizens, here are some more shenanigans from the Baby Boomers vs TSA:

http://blog.tsa.gov/2011/12/clarification-on-screening-of-three.html

Need to pack some "heat" for your trip to a city in desperate need of a superhero.  Check out these guidelines from TSA on how to do it without getting arrested:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm