Pierce Brosnan: Former 007 Had Ten Inch Hunting Knife At Airport

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan may have a “license to kill,” but that cut no ice with airport security officials. According to the BBC Irish actor Brosnan was stopped at airport security at Burlington International Airport in Vermont when it was discovered that Brosnan had a 10-inch hunting knife in his hand luggage as he attempted to board a flight at the airport.

According to the Telegraph Brosnan was stopped by U.S. Transportation Security Administration agents when the large hunting knife was discovered. Brosnan was reportedly left embarrassed and angry when the security officials stopped him and confiscated the knife. Apparently Brosnan was stopped after the knife was picked up when his hand luggage was scanned as part of the normal airport security checks.

It is hard to believe that Brosnan, a frequent air traveler, is not aware that a ban on knives and sharp objects was introduced at airports following the September 11 terror attacks. All sharp objects must be placed in checked luggage and all knives, apart from plastic butter knives are banned from aircraft cabins.

Airport security informed the local police department about the incident involving Brosnan, but police did not come to the airport as a result. Burlington police Lt. Shawn Burke confirmed that Brosnan had been stopped but that police did not attend. Burke said “Burlington police patrol the airport, but TSA does not always alert them for every improper item the agents encounter.” He continued “Brosnan was encountered by TSA at one of their checkpoints” as he attempted to board a flight on Sunday. Brosnan was allowed to continue his journey after the knife was confiscated.

According to security footage of the incident Brosnan was asked to remove his belt as he was spoken to by TSA officials. Brosnan, who starred in four James Bond movies including Die Another Day and Golden Eye, has made no comment about his encounter with airport security.

According to Fox News 62-year-old Brosnan’s publicist has not returned calls asking for a comment about the incident.

Brosnan, who has also starred in movies like Mrs. Doubtfire and The Thomas Crown Affair, has recently been on vacation in his native Ireland, where he spent some time visiting Navan, the town in County Meath where he grew up. Brosnan also visited Dublin, where he was filming for a new movie, IT, also starring Anna Friel. According to The Goss it is also believed that Brosnan has welcomed a new grandson into the world.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]