PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland school has suspended an 8-year-old boy after he was found to have a 4-inch plastic toy gun built for an action figure, KPTV-TV in Portland, Ore., reported.

The third-grade student at Duniway Elementary School received a one-day suspension. Aron Anderson, the boy's father, said his son forgot he had the toy in his pocket after playing with it the previous night.

He said his son showed the small toy to a friend at school and another student reported it to staff.

"He didn't point it at anybody. He didn't act like it was real," Anderson said. "I'm really frustrated with the district that they would go that far with something so little like that."

School officials said the principal followed protocol after she determined the toy gun was a simulated weapon. According to district policy, punishment can range from suspension to expulsion.

"There's got to be some common sense that says, 'I see what it is and there's no reason to sound the alarm,'" Anderson said.

The region administrator for the school sent Anderson a letter that said the district intends to uphold the principal's decision.

Anderson hopes the school district will consider changing its policy.

"Kids have scissors at schools and pencils. That's more dangerous than that," he said.

The boy's suspension will be on his permanent school record, but Anderson said he intends to speak with the school board about the situation.