“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it.” We don’t mean to get all preachy on y’all but this is something I’m sure we all grew up hearing…and that’s because it’s so true! Children ultimately become products of their environments, their parents, their family, their friends and yes, even the toys they’re allowed to play with.
Back in the day when crime was not as bad as it these days, a kid running around with a toy gun didn’t evoke such fear and outrage as it would today. And that’s exactly what I felt the other day when I saw this little boy, who looked to be about six-years-old, playing with a toy gun. I was at a local take-away when he got there with the “toy” in hand. He was accompanied by an older girl, about 11-years-old and a young girl who seemed to be about four-years-old. While waiting for their food, the younger kids got to playing. The boy then held up the gun, with his finger on the trigger and pointed it at the younger girl’s head. That looked too real to me and I instantly felt sick to my stomach. The other customers at the restaurant also expressed their disgust and anger at seeing a young boy getting used to holding a gun, so comfortably, so casually. Of course the conversation on crime ensued for obvious reasons. With gun violence seemingly taking our country by storm, I find it hard to believe that parents and guardians want to plant this seed or even have this vision of their kids. What ever happened to books, footballs, basketballs, marbles, action figures and even kiddie computers as toys? And now I ask, why are we still purchasing toy guns for our boys?
Here are some facts from the commissioner of police’s Twitter account:
