Gun buy back......... errr, uh..... Toy Gun buy back!

[Teresa]

Can we get any more stupid??!!!


http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/132937.html

Toy gun turn-in at Friday's tree lighting  

A novel idea for getting toy guns off the streets is coming to East Providence City Hall.

During the city's annual tree–lighting festivities on Friday, Dec. 11, the East Providence Prevention Coalition will hold a toy gun return. Anyone who turns in a toy gun will receive a bag of cotton candy.

East Providence Police Chief Joseph Tavares said the toy gun trade-in is an idea that has gained popularity in the last decade.

"It coincides with the idea that we sometimes raise our kids with these toy guns and it conditions them to enjoy the gun when there are better toys and better things to emulate," he said.

"There are some toy guns out there that look like real guns."

In his time as a police officer the chief said he has come across situations in which a toy gun was mistaken for a real gun by a police officer or a victim. Kids may use them for play, but some criminals use them to commit crimes.

"We've had instances where these replicas and these toy guns mirror the real thing. Some of these toys ... the more realistic they look the more people enjoy them. We've had crimes committed with these toy guns. Whose to know in a split second?"

Going forward the Chief said his department is in the business of supporting the coalition and their efforts to end substance abuse and promote safety.

"We'll do whatever we can to support their cause."

Michelle Kollett, the substance abuse compliance coordinator for the prevention coalition, stressed that the event is for toy guns only. However, a police officer will be present at the turn-in in case someone shows up with a real gun or a BB gun.

All of the guns turned in at the event will either be destroyed or properly recycled.


The details...

On Friday, Dec. 11, starting at 5 p.m., the East Providence Prevention Coalition will hold a toy gun return in coordination with the city's annual tree–lighting ceremony. Anyone who turns in a toy gun will receive a bag of cotton candy. Additionally, the D.I.C.E. Youth Group will be on hand offering non-alcoholic "Holiday Mocktails" and temporary holiday tattoos. For more information, call 435-1923.

So~~~~ Lets all  trade toy guns for cotton candy. I guess it's better to promote childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes...than it is to let kids play with and have toy guns...
What a bunch of morons~~~


But..This one almost have it beat...

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26152380-2682,00.html

SAM RODRIGUES
October 02, 2009 12:01am
REPLICA firearms will be treated as the real thing under tough new laws introduced yesterday.

Imitation firearms, or copies of genuine guns, can now only be bought from licensed gun dealers – the same laws which apply to genuine guns – following changes to the Firearms Act 1977. The changes came into effect yesterday but they do not apply to toy guns.

Chief Inspector Jim Langmead, officer in charge of the Firearms Branch, said many imitation firearms could be converted into firing weapons.

"With a modicum of metal skills you can convert them, however if you don't know what you are doing these things can blow up, literally, in your hand," Chief-Insp Langmead said.

He said it was "virtually impossible" for most people to tell the difference between imitation and real firearms.

Penalties for non-compliance of the new laws include up to 15 years jail or a fine up to $75,000.

Retail figures show 187 imitation firearms were sold in 2007/08, increasing to 425 in 2008/09. Police recorded 159 incidents involving imitation firearms in 2008/09.

The problem with the way the law is  there are some toy guns that fit in to that ban  as well  
what is worse  is that there are some collectors that have a few thousand invested in these replicas and they are not offering any compensation