Is there anything in your carry-on that COULD be used as a weapon?
"Is there anything in your carry-on that COULD be used as a weapon?"
If you answer honestly? Yes...
...then you are in for a 'chat' - truth is? nearly anything could be used as a weapon - a BIC pen comes to mind. A nasty little tool if you know how to use it.
If you answer as they expect you to answer? No - then some nit-picker will (or could) make an issue of it IF you're carrying a pen with you.
Or is it best to just answer as the uninformed do with a simple 'no'?