[Daffynition]

Yep. Replicas are on the *prohibited* list. Sorry kiddo.

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_and_permitted_items_10-24-07.pdf

[Fresh Wind]

The list specifies “realistic replicas”. What’s on that handbag isn’t realistic.

[eastforker]

No way that could be construed as a replica. I doubt it has any moving parts found in Replica firearms.

[aruanan]

Yep. Replicas are on the *prohibited* list. Sorry kiddo.

Read. Read. Please, read. Toy weapons are permitted in carry on ("Toy weapons- if not realistic replicas"). That's a realistic replica of an actual gun, not an embossed decorative motif on an accessory. What she had on her purse was not a replica or even a toy.

The TSA screwed up big time here. It would have been nice if a parent who could read could have taken the brochure you cited and pointed it out to the brain-dead TSA agent. Of course, one that stupid to have stopped her over the purse would not have been persuaded by the actual TSA brochure. The agent should lose his job for bringing more disrepute on an already disreputable agency.

[cuban leaf]

It says “realistic” replicas. That thing on her purse doesn’t look all that realistic. For starters, it’s too small.

Then again, “realistic” is a relative term. Some would argue that some Hot Wheels are realistic replicas of cars.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Yep. Replicas are on the *prohibited* list. Sorry kiddo."

It's not a replica. It's an embossed picture on a purse, for gawdsakes. I hope she sues the TSA for everything they have. This action is FAR past being ridiculous, and into outright agency insanity.

[backwoods-engineer]

But her preference for the pistol style didn't sit well with TSA agents at the Norfolk airport.

Yep. Replicas are on the *prohibited* list. Sorry kiddo.

Sooooo stupid. How long are we going to allow Congress to pass laws to oppress us? How is "replicas as prohibited" Constitutional?

I REFUSE to fly commercial until this TSA nonsense ends.