A boy’s souvenir from Walt Disney World was confiscated after the Transportation Security Administration deemed the toy was a replica of a firearm.
According to NBC affiliate WESH, the toy looked like a rifle that Buzz Lightyear would use. It was confiscated at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.
The 5-year-old boy’s father said his son Levi Zilka, had tears streaming down his face when he realized that TSA agents weren’t going to return the toy.
“We understand that things are scary out there right now. But taking a toy from a 5-year-old doesn’t enhance national security,” said David Zilka.
NBC 6 reached out to TSA and they released a statement, saying in part, “TSA officers are charged with protecting passengers and making final judgments on which items are permitted on aircraft. In our review of this situation, the officer’s decision complied with approved procedures. We recently reinforced that training on the procedures with every front line TSA officer. TSA officers have the discretion to deny passage of an item if they cannot definitively rule out that the item could be used as a weapon, or perceived to be a weapon, including replica weapons."
TSA also told NBC 6 that they will be returning the toy to the boy.
