A pendant in the shape of an antique Colt 45 pistol almost landed Marnina Norys in the hoosegow on Monday.
The 39-year-old Toronto resident was caught by alert Kelowna Airport security wearing the 1.75-inch sterling silver pendant on a chain around her neck.
“That‘s a replica,” an unidentified security agent told the harried traveller as if she would understand that replica weapons, even miniaturized pieces of jewelry, are not allowed.
Her jewelry posed no threat, responded Norys, and could hardly be used to hijack an airplane. “It‘s what it represents,” said the agent.
“That‘s censorship, not security,” an incredulous Norys said before she was told she would have to put the necklace in her checked baggage.
When Norys ran to the WestJet check-in counter, the ticket agent agreed this interpretation of the ban on replica weapons was ridiculous.
“You just can‘t win,” he said, noting airport security has taken away children‘s plastic water pistols due to the regulations against replicas.
Neil Drachenberg, the airport‘s fire and security chief, said Garda Canada provides pre-board screening, not the airport, but admitted: “I‘ve heard stories like this before from other locations. I don‘t know how they interpret their rules, but the airport is always looking for the common-sense solution to these issues.”
Cindy, a supervisor for Garda Canada at Kelowna Airport, declined to provide her last name, saying: “We do not discuss any incidents which happen here.”
“How do you know it wasn‘t a real gun?” asked Guy, a security agent with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, who also declined to provide his last name.
“Who knows if there is a gun that small that can shoot bullets? You don‘t know that. They followed the rules.”
Anyone who tries to get through airport security with a piece of jewelry that looks like a miniature knife, spear or any other weapon would be told the same thing, he said.
The ban on replica weapons is explained on the website www.catsa.ca, he said. Its 13-page list of permitted and non-permitted items does contain the wording “replica weapons,” but isn‘t specific on size.
On hearing the story from Norys, pendant creator Calvin Dana Munroe of Bad Ass Jewellery in Toronto said: “What if someone had a gun tattooed on their neck? It‘s about as dangerous.”
He planned to post the story on his blog.
“You‘d think they‘d have better things to do than harass a middle-aged woman over a quirky piece of jewellery,” said Norys, adding the pen she took through security could have done more damage than her necklace.
“Sounds like a Kids in the Hall sketch,” said Margaret Resin, Norys‘ mother. “Were they afraid you were going to attack some Lilliputians?” Top of Page
