If the government knowingly did such a thing, you don't think there would be steps taken to insure said device was inert? As long as the detonator is not with the device and the radioactive materials aren't leaking from the case, it's perfectly safe. Just 'cause you say it's stupid, doesn't necessarily make it so. Heck even the father of the Neutron Bomb (Sam Cohen) can have a difference of opinion without being "wrong" or even being "right."
As long as the detonator is not with the device and the radioactive materials aren't leaking from the case, it's perfectly safe.
Until it gets stolen in transit. (FedEx loses about 0.2% of shipments annually to "employee pilferage.")
If you think that a 1 in 500 chance of someone stealing a 1-kiloton nuke the size of a softball that is only missing a detonator is perfectly safe, then you're part of the problem.