Thanks for the replies, peeps.

Here's an update:

In returning home I decided to remove the Volcano from my bag and place it and its accoutrements in their own tray, like people have to do with laptops. That way the TSA workers at least wouldn't search through my whole bag. Besides them dropping it on the floor, there were no problems. They just tested it for explosives (took less than a minute) and had me on my way. Thank you La Guardia TSA crew.

Bringing legal paraphernalia is a good exercise of freedoms but can be one hell of hassle.