‘Safety Threat’? Toy Soldier‘s ’Firearm’ Banned from UK Flight
- Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:35pm by
Meredith Jessup
- Print »
- Email »
A couple boarding an international flight at England’s Gatwick airport unknowingly set off alarms when they tried to pass a small British military figurine through security in one of their carry-on bags.
The Lloyds' small souvenir
According to the Daily Mail, Ken and Julie Lloyd were forced to detach the figurine’s 3-inch plastic rifle and mail it to their home in Ontario, Canada after airport security told them it would not be allowed on the aircraft.
The Canadian tourist and his wife had bought the toy, which holds a replica SA80 rifle, during a visit to the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford Camp in Dorset. …
[Mr. Lloyd] said: ‘As the figurine’s SA80 rifle was pulled from the box, the security search officer contacted her supervisor. The moulded SA80 could not pass.
‘My wife asked for a “reality check”, explaining how this offending piece of sculptured moulding is a 9 inch painted model with a moulded and painted rifle that is part of the figure.
‘The supervisor was confident within the surety of the regulations and said a “firearm” is a firearm and cannot pass.
The Lloyds purchased the souvenir model for £135. A curator at the Royal Signals Museum commented to the Mail that while the military museum takes security very seriously, the Lloyds’ situation seemed “more than a little excessive.”
“It is probably just as well we didn’t sell Mrs Lloyd a toy tank,” he joked.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said that firearms and items “with the appearance of firearms” are prohibited.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 583 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 413 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 410 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 374 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 367 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 410 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 413 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 367 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 410 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (129)
pschlentz
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:25pmThis actually happened to my son, 10 years old, with his G.I. Joe going from San Diego to Salt Lake City. He was devastated and I was embarassed for the airport security (guards). Shame on them!
Report Post »Ashrak
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:22pmHad Enough of the idiocy yet?
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:21pmThey don’t allow anything with the “appearance” of a firearm. Just don’t let your kids chew their graham crackers into the shape of a pistol or they will be confiscated – no tolerance.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:41pmAlso, watch out for those odd “L” shaped chicken nuggets, which could also potentially be a gun, with a lot of imagination (more than I’ve got, truthfully).
Report Post »cole18
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:17pmSomebody could have been shot full of plastic!
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:16pmThis just in…G.I joe with kungfu grip raped by TSA story at 11:00
Report Post »Kevin
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:04pmThe horror! Did they make sure it was unloaded?!
Report Post »entropy
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:02pmI honestly believe that if you had a PICTURE of a firearm they would say that it was a gun. These people have a serious mental disorder. Liberalism/Socialism is a mental disorder worse than moronism or imbecilism.
Report Post »Dumbsht
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:57pmGood thing it didn’t have panties on…would have had the owners in custody.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:55pmI guess the real deal here for them is that someone might see it on the airplane and say that they saw a weapon. The plane would have to divert and totally be searched top to bottom for the socalled weapon. Because people no longer have common sense, this is what would happen again, if some stupid passenger saw the kid playing with this thing and said…OMG theres a gun on the plane. Law enforcement again…would have to be called to sort out the mess because no one would want to take responsibility for saying its not a weapon. Gotta think crazy like they do to understand WTF!
Report Post »Dumbsht
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:55pmFigures.
Report Post »BJBIENEK
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:53pmSo stupid!
Report Post »boodrow
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:49pmThat would get a kid expelled from school here. No Tolerance! What a joke!
Report Post »Jeff Jefferson
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:44pmThis is where political correctness has brought us.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:52pmThis would be…..political insanity.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:40pmWhat if they got caught with $3.40 in Canadian change?
“Sorry… you can’t bring aboard polar bears, loons, caribou, schooners, or beavers.”
Report Post »captquest
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:38pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU&feature=related
Report Post »captquest
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:07pmThen they board the airplane and it’s a toy airplane and Ken and Barbie are the pilot and stewardess. Rod Serling would love it.
Report Post »Ron Staiger
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:32pmAs this was happening, three islamic terrorists were giddily taking notes about Gatwick security’s lack of professionalism and abject stupidity- surpassed only by the idiots at TSA!
Report Post »Alphonso
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:31pmThe sun has set on the British empire…
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:47pmI did a long time ago and the eternal night is at our door step
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:29pmGlad it was not a school,even there a finger is considered a deadly weapon.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:51pmAnd, the mind.
Report Post »parmajohn
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:28pmHopefully the little guy won’t hold his finger and thumb in the shape of a gun Olive Pita Wraps For all
Report Post »DVT
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:25pmWow, thats on the top ten list of STUPID!
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:22pmBut didn’t the soldiers in “TOY SOLDIERS” come to life? Maybe airport insecurity saw the movie…
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:16pmStupid BRITS!!!!!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:23pmTry it here………….. let us know how it works out for you. If you are lucky you will be able to take a later flight, after you mail the toys!
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:17pmHey back off the Brits it is not their fault that we taught them that plastic toy guns can kill in our zeal to not repeat Columbine.
Report Post »Bruce_Almty
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:54pmI think we have found our next Director of Homeland Security………….LOL
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:11pmThis is absolute insanity! MAYBE if it were a full size toy gun – some of those can be very realistic – maybe you stop it from getting on the plane – MAYBE! Let’s just say this thing could fire -> please shoot me! I love to be tickled.
I have zero tolerance for zero tolerance enforced by people with zero common sense.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:51pmLeave it to a bunch of half wits to say something like this is dangerous. It was the same stupidity that hit Colorado after Columbine, which has done jack diddly to actually protect anybody.
Report Post »click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:08pmOH FOR GODS SAKE PEOPLE!
Enough indeed.
Report Post »Doc
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:07pmUnbelievable. Scary part is that so called security people – supervisors yet – have so little capacity of rational thought.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:05pmEnough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RobertCA
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:13pmwhat a joke .
Report Post »Enuff Zenuff
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:14pmThe REAL safety threat is that anyone has the time to be making mountains out of these little toy molehills when there are mountains of real threats they should be looking at…
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:21pmWHAT ABOUT PICTURES OF GUNS?
If I am thinking about guns? will I be allowed to board a plane? Can I bring a war movie on the plane with me? Did that passenger get a real extra good grouping by a TSA team?
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:32pmI will never fly again. I cannot deal with the stupidity of those in charge.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:39pmTiny terrorists could have used it, good thing these guys are on top of things. Don’t you remember that movie “Small Soldiers” dangerous things these toys.
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:48pmIgnorance is the most dangerous thing in the world. Beware we are living among the very ignorant in this country. Resist myths and find the truth. And what is truth. In the Bible this question was put by a very high ranking official but he did not wait for the answer from Jesus.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:49pmActually, it’s not enough yet. But they are pushing and pushing till something breaks. And when “it” does. It will then be “enough” for them to inact even MORE control. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is actually a safety measure. It’s MUCH more devious than that. Really.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:51pmI’ve been through security at Heathrow on multiple occasions… Those dingbats make our TSA look like M.I.T. alum.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:52pmCommon sense is truly dead.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:54pmOf course they had to ban that gun! What if it made its way to America? Its just the right size to take out Paul Krugman and Dennis Kucinich!!
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:05pmWhat the hell do you expect when you can’t name the enemy. Lets name the enemy so we won’t go crazy as they have and start flailing at plastic toys. The enemy is ISLAM. Not radical Islam, not some guy named Mohamad. But ISLAM. I will not be a damn fool for anyone. And I hope you don’t like it. God I love America!
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:45pmYou have got to be kidding me. Seriously??? How stupid can airport security get?
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:48pmRobertCA
Report Post »AMEN! While security was zeroing in on this toy/figurine, terrorists were probably tippy toeing inside the plane. Nice distraction, morons!
Creestof
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:00pmAmtrak…avoid flights and let the airlines go bankrupt. Of course, then Obama would buy them for “our own good.”
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:07pmLOL … boy you can’t make this stuff up ! Insanity … anyone remember cap guns .. we would have been in prison .. … why don’t they look for terrorists!
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:15pmAren’t these the same guys that sent RDX in printer cartridges on cargo planes and pilots returned when they heard a pop noise?
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:25amwith the popularity of dehydrated foods,,,,well, you can guess. Simply soak the little guy is some water laced with Viagra and ‘poof’,,,,ya got a genuine assault rifle. The lefties found this out when their Viagra pills only made them taller.
Report Post »Mikeyyy
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:08ami call that my “9-11 Hijack a plan gun” – just 50 cents, who wants to buy one from me?
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:12amIt was obviously one of the new Mattel Mark 123456 super duper machine gun. Very dangerous to other (imperiled) plastic toy soldiers. Probably had other weapons used to destroy those super dangerous plastic toy soldiers, such as a plastic gernade (attached).
The kid is obviously a super recon soldier in charge of a massive army of dangerous plastic soldiers.
These guys are dummer than a cow.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:58amThis simply shows the down right STUPIDITY of government and bureaucracy….It takes the very plain and simple and turns into an absurd conclusion. Idiots !!!!!!!!
Report Post »FromtheBasement
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:57pmLol! This is just nuts. “Say no to plastic toys! Oh, wait, Mr. Achmed! You dropped your, what is this … modeling clay and metal capped bailing wire?” ;-D
Report Post »docvet
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:20pmAre you sure? Radical Lilliputions may have infiltrated the the free world. That may be a real gun designed to simulate flea bites and drive people crazy.
Report Post »waggie
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 1:13pmAre you KIDDING me???
Report Post »