Had to endure a similar scenario at UK airport this summer. Having bought an 'Action Man' comic, at the landside newspaper shop, complete with PLASTIC handcuffs on the front, we were stopped as we passed through security. Duty security man had to check with his supervisor as to whether or not the cuffs were allowable. Whilst we waited for the super to arrive I explained to the man that if he confiscated them, I would just go to the airside shop and buy another comic for a new pair, but he couldn't understand. Eventually the super let them through anyway, having first of all played and tinkered with them in every way possible.