In yet another “how-can-this-be-a-weapon” news– we have a winner of the year. Death by a straw seems to have a whole other meaning today!
Boston’s Logan Airport was buzzing with an unusual warrant on April 23rd, as a man gets arrested for carrying a Vampire Straw.
Since when have straws become illegal? Is this really the “last straw” for humanity? Let’s dive into this, shall we?
What Is a Vampire Straw?
A huge tidal wave of the #SaveTheTurtles campaign hit the activism scene just a few years back. Although it was to bring awareness towards the growing plastic hazards in the ocean, the initiative was taken on a pretty micro-level.
Savetheturtles.ca introduced a range of plastic-free products such as spoons, forks, collapsible straws, steel straws, and much more. They were promoting these products as a change on an individual level (although a much bigger problem lingered).
Nevertheless, the straws became a hit as more influencers advocated for turtles’ lives. And as most trends go, thus began the never-ending game of outdoing each other.
Now, here we are with the Vampire Straw.
The concept is the same, but the execution is a bit extreme. This 10-inch-long titanium device acts as a straw and a weapon.
It does look like a dagger from The Vampire Diaries. The straw’s manufacturer claims that its design with a sharp tip can pierce through most synthetic materials. This $75 straw is advertised as an eco-friendly and self-defense tool.
So what exactly happened at Boston’s Logan International Airport?
Arman Achuthan Nair, a 26-year-old traveler, was detained by the police for carrying the straw in question. The Massachusetts State Police stated the reason for his arrest as having a ‘deadly weapon’ in his carry-on bag. The TSA immediately alerted the troopers to find an evidently sharp object in his backpack. Currently, Nair, a Chicago resident, has posted bail and is scheduled for 1st hearing on May 30th.
Was It Really That Serious? An Arrest for Carrying a Straw?
Let us inspect both sides–
Imagine drinking a smoothie or your favorite boba tea, boasting your contribution to the environment with eco-friendly straw. And then bam! A person sneaks behind you. This straw with a flexible grip allows you to maneuver it to your advantage and strike swiftly and quickly. It is a self-defense tool, after all.
However, the universal airplane rules strictly abide by no sharp objects in your carry-on. Was there a solid reason for Nair to carry the straw?
If it was for the mere purpose of enjoying his drink, then there seems to be no issue. But to be blunt (pun intended), the TSA has to be very careful in their investigation, where the “intention” plays the last factor.
Our Two-Cents on the Vampire Straw Incident
Enough with the multi-purpose devices. We live in a gimmick era where everything has to have quirks to be deemed “functional.”
If you want to carry a weapon, then bring one. If you want to care for the environment, then do that. Juxtaposing everything is not only complicated but also impractical. Not every product needs to be manufactured from a Shark-tank.
Although Nair was irresponsible in not following the rules, a small interrogation would have sufficed the case. An arrest does seem slightly extreme for it to reflect on a person’s permanent record.
Passing the straw torch to you– What do you think of this case?
Do you think there might be a possibility of profiling? Is the weaponizing of essential products really necessary?
Comment below one absurd product you have come across.
