OTTAWA, Ontario (Reuters) -- Exasperated Canadian air safety officials on Thursday told passengers "to leave their water pistols and toy guns at home" because they were triggering big delays at airport security.

Screening staff found nearly 3,000 toy guns, water pistols, toy grenades and other items resembling real weapons between January and June of this year, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority said.

"Through an X-ray machine, those items look like a threatening object. We cannot take any chances," the authority's Kevin McGarr said.

"Canadian travelers have to know what they can and cannot bring on board an aircraft. The consequence is a stressful wait for other passengers and a misuse of resources meant for a real emergency," he added in a statement.

Last year, the interception of prohibited items at Canadian airport security checkpoints caused delays totaling 15,000 hours, the authority said.

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A threatning object?

The outline of a gun...

Water tanks look like homemade bombs...

Better be safe then sorry.

I have a solution to the problem. Have a sign at the airport before you go in:

The possession of any facsimile of a weapon, water pistols, etc. will result in the automatic voiding of your airline ticket. You may also be subject to a fine and or imprisonment if substantial delays result.

Oh, wait...I forgot...this is in Canada, nevermind....the sign would most likely then read thusly:

Please leave your water pistols at home, thank-you.

gota love canada ;D!

I agree with Kratos - "Better Safe Then Sorry!"

I'm with ya on that better safe than sorry.

With the way things are today with terrorists, you cant bring a toy gun to an airport...are you crazy!!!! they dont joke around with that stuff......