Does Government Think Prosecuting People for Carrying Apples Going to Stop Terrorists?

Colorado woman slapped with $500 fine for carrying free Delta Air Lines apple in her bag.

Does the government really think prosecuting people for carrying apples are going to stop terrorists?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-slapped-500-fine-carrying-free-delta-apple-bag-article-1.3948752

But they let a guy keep his guns after he breached White House security. And now four people are dead.

http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/nashville-police-waffle-house-suspect-had-guns-confiscated-after-white-house-intrusion#stream/0

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Northwest · M

This is the department of agriculture, and not about terrorism.

I have bought apples in a store in Washington State, taken them to Canada, and then was asked to toss them, on my way back into the US. It's a question I'm asked every single time they decide to ask me questions.

It seems silly to apply it to Delta packaged fruit, but the department of agriculture makes no distinction. I always bring food back from foreign destinations, and I've run into this quite a few times, anything from freshly cured Spanish olives, to raw cashews.

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

@Northwest For all they know the woman could be lying to. Not that she is lying in this case but they don't really draw distinctions like that. Tons of people try to sneak in food. The problem with food and also seeds is that they can give plants various diseases.

Even stuffed and mounted animals have to be fumigated if they don't meet certain requirements. Some are destroyed outright because bugs on the animal carcass can devastate an entire species of animal/plant.

Northwest · M

@SatanBurger The inspectors' job is not to interpret the law, but to enforce it, and they can get in trouble for not doing so. I do blame the Airlines, for not making it clear, as in announcements during flights, as they hand out food, etc.

Think of it this way: you're a mother, traveling with three screaming kids, all under the age of 8, on an 14 hour flight. with a few added hours to check in, customs, etc., and you forgot that you have a banana in your carry on, that you saved to feed the screaming infant. This happened to a friend of mine, and she almost got fined for it.

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

@Northwest I can understand when put that way. I wouldn't like that if it happened to me and it was just accidental.