Reports earlier this week had a small explosive being found in a trash can at Disneyland, but it turned out to just be some dry ice in a bottle. Now, a guest found a loaded gun on the DINOSAUR attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. No-one was injured, and it appeared to be a huge misunderstanding, but it still isn’t good news, and it all happened on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.
Per the Orlando Sentinel:
A Walt Disney World park guest found a loaded gun in the seat of a ride at the Animal Kingdom that had fallen out of a man’s back pocket on Sunday.
A grandmother handed a Cobra .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol about noon to a park attendant, who immediately contacted security and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The owner, Angelo Lista, 44, of Royal Palm Beach claimed the firearm — which had five hollow point bullets inside — fell out of his back pocket during the bumpy Dinosaur ride, according to a Sheriff’s Office incident report.
Deputies unloaded and confiscated the weapon.
Lista has a valid Florida concealed weapons permit and told authorities he did not know he was supposed to tell Disney security because there are no signs posted about firearms.
According to the report, Lista thought the security bag checks were for explosives not guns. He said he was not aware guests were not allowed to bring guns inside the parks.
However, Disney spokeswoman Kathleen Prihoda said their policy clearly states no guns or weapons of any kind are permitted on their property. The prohibition is posted on their website.
A Disney official said they cannot recall any other similar incidents with guns in recent years, calling the episode “rare” because its common knowledge the parks don’t permit them.
Deputies said Lista was apologetic and tried to retrieve the gun the moment he realized it was no longer in his possession after the ride.
Disney asked Lista to leave for the day but did not trespass him.
Lista complied and deputies escorted him to his vehicle, the report said.
