Editorial: ‘Toy’ guns pose grave danger

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

We have written previously about the socially irresponsible businesses that produce violent and sexually oriented video games and market them to children. They should be ashamed of themselves. We hold the same view toward the manufacturers that are now producing toy assault weapons that look exactly like the real guns after which they are patterned.

A 15-year-old Florida boy is brain dead after waving one of the "airsoft" guns at school. He was shot by police, who believed he had a real weapon. A Delaware boy is facing charges of using an airsoft gun to commit a robbery. And two teens in South Carolina recently sparked a security response when they walked onto a golf course carrying replicas of an M-16 and a handgun. Any wrong moves the boys made after security arrived could have been tragic.

Manufacturers have a well-worn response when asked how they can justify making these "toys," which shoot plastic BBs, available to children. As they are loading up the Internet as fast as they can with "amazing deals" on these realistic handguns, rifles and assault weapons, they say it is the parents' responsibility to supervise their children.

We believe all segments of society, including manufacturers, should help parents in that all-important job, not make it almost impossible for them.