Nine-year-old Patrick Timoney brought a gun to school at PS 52 in Staten Island, N.Y., Tuesday and almost got suspended. The problem? It was a two-inch LEGO toy gun.

The fourth grader brought some of his LEGOs to school to show his friends during lunch. The LEGO police officer toy was holding a small gun. (Patrick’s dad is a retired police officer.)

When the principal saw it, she pulled the kid out of class and called Patrick’s parents. She says the school has a “no tolerance” policy and does not allow any weapons on campus.

Laura Timoney, Patrick’s mom, told CBS News: “This isn’t a safety issue. This is a judgment issue. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? It could poke you in the eye?”

We’re all for keeping kids safe, but we’d say the school took this way too far this time. What about you?

Discuss it in the forum.