Toys, Tools & Guns (edited)

[OneGrassRoot]

EDITS:

1. Turns out the nail gun isn't real. But, really, can't you see it being manufactured and sold as seen in the pic? I'm surprised it isn't available as shown. Still, my apologies for the wrong information.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/technology/nailgun.asp

2. The first image is a pic that was in a Chicago paper, with mothers taking a pic with their favorite things in life, for Mother's Day.


Imagine all the tragic ways this could go wrong. I know people have a right to their toys, tools and their weapons, but this trend which blurs the line between them is very disturbing.

It's unnecessarily dangerous, imho.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Is that REALLY a nail gun?!?

I'm sorry, but that's just crazy. I must have one.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Mea culpa

Turns out the nail gun isn't real. But, really, can't you see it being manufactured and sold as seen in the pic?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/technology/nailgun.asp

[Atman]

3. Only the crazy wing-nut comments are real.

To the point of the op, though: a couple of years ago my wife bought me an 18" Poulan chain saw for Fathers Day. She bought the previous years model on clearance, though, because she thought I wouldn't like the new one. I couldn't understand why not until I saw it in the store...it literally looked like TOY chain saw, with bright purple graphics and colorful trim. Who was this designed for? Exact same specs as the traditional safety yellow/black model, just redesigned to look like a Fischer Price you. Good thing a kid wouldn't be able to start it.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. I don't get it.

The blurring of the lines like that. It's very irresponsible, imho.

[Recursion]

4. I think most of the toy guns shown are illegal to manufacture currently

Toy guns have to have a bright orange muzzle nowadays.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. That's good. What are your thoughts about...

real guns made to look like toys? There are "Hello Kitty" weapons, for example.

Do you feel that's an unwise/irresponsible, albeit profitable, marketing approach by gun manufacturers?

[Recursion]

7. That's an interesting point

I do think operational and non-operational firearms/replicas should be instantly distinguishable from one another for safety reasons; maybe Kalashnakitty will have to go. Though I think it's specifically the orange muzzle that replicas have to have.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. kalashnakitty...lol

Good one.

Thanks for your thoughts. Instantly distinguishable is key, imho.

[Paladin]

9. It's No Laughing Matter.

Marketing mass quantities of firearms that look like kids' toys fosters a non-serious, juvenile frame of mind in gun owners. Evidence of this sick trend is everywhere: flip through a current gun periodical and check out the ads and feature articles if you don't believe me. Or check out the discussions taking place in online sites devoted exclusively to AR-15 or AK-47 assault rifles. When you reduce guns to mere adjuncts of violent video games, you've got trouble.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. I agree.

It's a very definite trend, and it's extraordinarily disturbing.

I started noticing it in the last year primarily with women -- of all ages -- posing with their guns, naming them, sharing links to catalog companies specializing in gun accessories for women (pink, camo, etc.).

Not good at all. They're not toys, and it's not responsible to treat them as such, imho.