Realistic, Shiny Toy Guns In Mexico City Destroyed By Authorities

[orphanedhawk]

MEXICO -- Mexico City authorities say they have destroyed thousands of toy guns in an effort to fight real crimes committed with fake weapons.

Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said Friday that officials believe that at least three of every 10 violent crimes in Mexico City is committed with a realistic toy gun.

The guns were confiscated from shops in Mexico City and the surrounding state of Mexico. Mexico bans virtually all civilian gun ownership and requires that toy weapons be made of transparent or brightly colored plastic. Sunday is Three Kings Day, when Mexican children receive the largest number of holiday gifts.

Official statistics show that there were 82,117 robberies and 1,349 homicides in Mexico City in the first 11 months of 2012.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/05/realistic-shiny-toy-guns-crime_n_2415398.html

[wallace54]

You hear about it from time to time, that some guy gets shot and killed by the cops for having a metallic candy bar wrapper in their hands.  Get rid of play guns, as far as I'm concerned.  They don't serve a purpose and they do probably breed a lot of bad gun handling habits.

[orphanedhawk]

They shouldn't make toys guns look like real guns, IMO.

[adgal]

Funny thing is, I don't really have an issue with guns the way I used to.  I still don't like them, and I wish they weren't around, but they are and I'm ok with people who use them properly having them.  I just never ever want to see a child mistake the real mccoy for a toy.  That to me would be incredibly dangerous. I plan on teaching him (when he is old enough) what the real thing looks like, and why he should not touch it.  Those real looking toy guns scare me....what if he finds a real one at a friends house or something and mistakes it for a toy. No, I am good with banning toy guns that look real.  I wish they would do that here.

[orphanedhawk]

I didn't ban them with my boys but I didn't buy them either. The ones they had were obviously toys~ I recall a pop-gun.

They were more into swords and capes than guns~ maybe because I also got rid of the TV ?

I have three tiny squirt guns shaped like animals that the grandkids and I play with.

[adgal]

Ok, so I know everyone will probably think I am off my rocker, but I hate toy guns.  I really do.  I won't allow my son to play with them or have them. I don't mind the obviously play water guns...orange and plastic things.  But I do have an issue with anything that looks remotely real.  I just don't like them and don't feel that kids should have them.  Just my opinion.