Many years ago, before there was a TSA, I was traveling with a coworker on a business trip. He puts his keys in the basket before walking through the metal detector and the security guy said he couldn't take them on to the plane. He had one of those 44 mag bullet key chains and the security guy said the bullet was dangerous and would have to be confiscated.
I pointed out to him that it was an inert object that was incapable of doing any harm, even if there was a firearm to put it into. He stood his ground.
I was getting peeved at his attitude and started to point out how it was more like a picture of a bullet than a real bullet. He was unrelenting.
By this time I'm string to get really PO'd, and I start pointing out how someone could do more damage with a Bic pen then they could a non-functional bullet. He didn't budge, there is strength in ignorance.
My coworker had to drag me out of there, he was afraid the guy was going to have us detained.