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I have the following massager that I sometimes bring in my carry-on luggage:

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Product dimensions: 4 x 5 x 5 inches. Weight: 4.2 Pounds.

Massagers are in the list of permitted items for the TSA (https://www.dhs.gov/learn-what-i-can-bring-plane), though as usual the final decision lies in the hand of the security agents.

As I was taking a flight within Mexico for Christmas, the TIJ departure airport security refused me to keep it in my carry-on luggage. The reason I was given was that I could use it to kill someone on my way to MEX since it was hard and heavy. I had to go back to the airline check-in desk to have it placed as a checked in luggage. It's the first time I had this issue with this massager, however this was also the first time I flew within Mexico. There was some language barrier between the security staff and myself, and the check-in desk was about to close, so I couldn't ask for more information.

Was that security staff overly paranoid or is it typical for hard items heavier than 2 kg to be forbidden to be placed in carry-on luggage in flights within Mexico?

My carry-on luggage weight was lower than what I was authorized (15kg), so this wasn't some overweight issue.

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    Being overly paranoid is typically a requirement to get a job as the security officer...
    – user45851
    Dec 27, 2021 at 8:07
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    Any solid heavy item can be classed as a blunt object which is a forbidden carry on item category in probably all countries. The definition of "blunt object" is subjective and would be left to the wisdon of the officer manning the checkpoint.
    – RedBaron
    Dec 27, 2021 at 8:08
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    You could test by carrying a heavy laptop next time ;)
    – RedBaron
    Dec 27, 2021 at 8:12
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    I can't find releavnt sources ATM for an answer but I did find contact for authorities in Mexico for defining dangerous goods. Maybe you can drop a mail and post an answer if you receive a reply
    – RedBaron
    Dec 27, 2021 at 8:44
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    They can pretty much refuse anything they want. I've been yelled at for items that are explicitly legal and allowed, but there is simply no point in arguing. They have the final say, regardless of what they official rules say. They also have all day to discuss this, while you have a plane to catch.
    – Hilmar
    Dec 27, 2021 at 12:57

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