A community in Long Island, New York, is holding an interesting campaign to help teach kids toy guns aren’t cool. They are offering other toys in exchange, Cafemom reports.
The Village of Hempstead has an annual tradition now. Kids can bring in their toy guns and exchange them for other presents.
The goal is simple – to help teach kids that toy guns aren’t cool and the same would also go for the real weapons. Kids have the option to choose from a plethora of other toys.
Among them are action figures, constructors, play sets, vehicles , dolls and more. “Lt. Derek Warner from the Hempstead Village Police Department explained that toy guns can often be mistaken for real guns, especially when played with outside at night”, CafeeMom adds. “Which is why he discouraged any parent from buying a toy gun for their child, even if it’s brightly colored or is a water pistol. “Toy guns can be a dangerous item to give your children,” he said.”
Of course, not everyone agree with the campaign. Some feel toy guns can be used to teach kids responsibility and so on. It is definitely a debate which will continue for a very long time.
