Democrats are looking for firearms from all angles in their relentless pursuit. Leticia James, New York Attorney General, targets toy guns in this case. Even though she is referring to New York, could this have broad national implications?
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New York Attorney General Targets Toy Guns
Leticia James, New York Attorney General, wrote a letter to Alexander HoehnSaric, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Gina M. Raimondo, Department of Commerce Secretary. James cites several instances where a toy gun was used to incite a police-involved shooter.
All but one case in which a 17-year old was experiencing a mental illness crisis was reported, all of the others were adult criminals. James clarifies in her letter that her actions were due to criminal activity. It is not the criminals that she is after, but children and their toys.
She wrote, “All too often, fake guns can be used to commit real crime.” A large-scale study of the phenomenon was done in the last attempt. It was found that police recover thousands of fake crime guns each year, which accounts for approximately 15% of all robberies.
No matter how tragic a death may be, the toy cannot be blamed. This only makes children worse. Her letter also mentions that the shootings were not just caused by toy guns.
She states that “deadly mistakes don’t require indistinguishable imitation weapons–Saheed Vassell of Brooklyn, who was believed to be holding a length of silver pipe, was shot multiple times”
Potential National Implications
She doesn’t give details about the legislation she proposes, but she is clear that her goal is to fight to make it federal.
She starts the letter by writing, “I write today regarding the long-standing need to strong, coherent federal regulations mandating distinct visually different between three categories of consumer goods: 1) toys, lookalikes and imitation guns (hereinafter “toy gun”), 2) nonpowder (bb/air and pellet) guns, and 3).
Her conclusion also states, “I intend forcefully to advocate for those changes during this state legislative session.” However, uniform federal regulations are not an alternative to common-sense public safety regulations for actual firearms.
It is obvious that people will continue to break the law regardless of how much legislation is put in place. Criminals will still be able to exploit any new laws or bans. James admits that there are laws already in place to prevent these horrific shootings, but they are not working.
According to the letter, toy guns must have: (1) a permanently affixed, blaze orange plug inserted into the firearm’s barrel; (2) a similar marking on its exterior; (3) be entirely made of transparent or translucent materials or (4) be covered with certain bright colors.”
Toy guns are the only real option. Is it really possible to make our children criminals by allowing them to use their toys to commit crime? Is this really who we are right now?
Final Thoughts
Some might argue that children shouldn’t have toy guns with realistic looking sights. It can be argued, however, that adults shouldn’t be carrying guns or trying to get attention from law enforcement. It is possible to simply drop the toy gun and explain that it is a toy.
We have learned one thing from all the current anti-gun laws: they only disarm law-abiding citizens. Toy guns can’t be banned, but accidental shootings can continue.
Personal Defense World’s first article, New York Attorney General Loses Plot and Targets Children’s Toy Guns, appeared first on Personal Defense World.
