Hello Kitty gun, with real bullets

by Joanne Lutynec (Subscribe to Joanne Lutynec's posts) Feb 22nd 2008 6:02PM

Categories: Health & Safety, In The News, Environment, Media, Gadgets & Tech

I ran across this video on CNN.com and was, in a word, shocked. Real guns, real bullets, painted pink with Hello Kitty emblems on them.

My personal feelings about guns aside, I have to seriously wonder what adult would want a Hello Kitty gun to begin with, but even more seriously - just by looking at it - what child would not think this was a toy?

Yes, when we were children we played with toy guns. We played cops and robbers, pretended we were characters from movies or the wild west. We owned pretend light sabers and thought we were in Star Wars. It did not make me grow up wanting to own a real gun or harm or shoot someone. I do believe it is fair to say that in general, children are capable of playing with toys that look like weapons without causing any permanent psychological damage. On the flip side though, I can not believe that anyone thinks it is acceptable to make weapons that look like toys.

According to the video, the owner of Jim's Gun Supply states that over 75% of the people purchasing these painted weapons are law enforcement officials buying gifts for their wives so they can go to the shooting range. What is even more staggering is how many of these are out there. Do a Google search for Hello Kitty guns and you will find countless varieties.

What's next - a My Little Pony Glock?

Hello Kitty Guns(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Source

Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jane 2-22-2008 @ 8:51PM

Boy, am I ever hesitant to write this. I’m sure I’ll get heat. I’ve seen guns like these and to tell the truth, I really wanted to get myself a “girl” gun. It’s a fact in my life that I need a gun and need to know how to use one. I grew up with guns. We have bears, coyotes, wolves and a lot of other animals that wander onto our farm. A few weeks ago I had to shoot a fox that kept stealing my eggs and killing my chickens. The only reason I didn’t get one similar to one of these was they were over $300 more that a plain old one.

Given that said, a child “could” think any gun was a toy. No matter the color or what’s on it. You have to respect guns when they are a part of your life. I was raised and taught how to use a gun from the time I can remember so I learned to respect them and I’m sure my little boy, though I hate to think of him as growing up, will also learn how to use a gun at a young age. We keep all our guns except for one in a gun safe with trigger locks on them and the magazines out of them. My husband keeps one in a little locked safe under our bed.

Also, it said these police officers got these for their wives so they could shoot at the range with them. What’s wrong with that? My husband and I go to the range together too with some friends. It’s practice and one upsmanship. We even have leagues but the hours don't work for us to join. They aren’t buying them for their kids. It all sounds legal and something they can do together. I know our officers have to put in so many hours a month at the range and it's better than the wives sitting home alone if it's something they would be up for doing.

Mihir 2-23-2008 @ 3:18PM

i'm in agreement with jane.

"What's next - a My Little Pony Glock?"

now THAT'S an idea!! personally, i'd like to buy the wife a Care Bear Beretta. or a Smurfin' Sig Sauer.

why don't they make a Hello Kitty HK? the initials already work.

i'm having way too much fun with this.

Maxie 2-23-2008 @ 5:57PM

I don't see the issue. In fact, I think that a Hello Kitty gun could be a benefit.

Picture this - the mean bad guy is approaching...in a calm, cool and collected fashion I get out my Hello Kitty gun only to remember MY AIM IS LOUSY!! No Problem! The mean bad guy is rendered helpless laughing uncontrollably at the thought of being shot by a pink Hello Kitty gun and is unable to escape the police, who I called while he was giggling. WIN-WIN! Well, WIN for me - bad guy caught, and kinda WIN for me again since I didn't shoot the cat while trying to shoot the bad guy. Bad guy in this little story is in jail, so he may not be too happy, but really, I'm not concerned about him...

Seriously, any gun can be a hazard. It's not like little kids are wandering into gun shops accidently buying a Hello Kitty gun and some extra ammo.

carl 7-12-2008 @ 3:42PM

What part of "keep out of reach of children" do you not understand?!
No, I wouldn't buy a pink gun, nor would I paint a gun pink. However, I'm not gunna say it's wrong just because I don't like the idea. If I did paint a gun pink, it would be my personal property and I would accept all the responsibility associated with it.

Lynette 7-17-2008 @ 9:59AM

I want one. Simple. When I was a minor years ago and saw these, I wanted one. My point is, parents have to take responsibility to show their children that : yes. guns are dangerous. Just like a car or household cleaning iteams etc, but they are things that you don't mess with unless you plan to defend yourself. I think kids can comprehend the danger of a firearm, and the fact that it's painted pink is going to be irrelevant. As long as you don't try to hide things from them, and make them all taboo and forbidden then you'll get your point across. Be upfront with children, and you'll accomplish what you want. The second you try to sugar coat things and give half truths is the second your trust-o-meter goes way down. Just my opinion...

Mac 7-17-2008 @ 12:59PM

I want to fab a My Little Pony glock, thanks for the idea. It probably won't come to fruition for a while though.

Children know how to cross the street, even when they're not supposed to by themselves. They know they are not supposed to take pills, try and drink bleach, or stab each other (depending on how dysfunctional your family is). This is because parents teach them about the dangers and actually show the kids the proper way to handle these situations. Don't make the weapon taboo like most parents make pot, in saying how evil it is etc. Because they will at one point or another mess around with it just to spite you. Most of the child shootings I hear about are in urban areas where parents are much less likely to familiarize their children with guns, thus making them that much more curious about them. I don't own guns, don't have children, but someday more likely than not I will.

Information is power, and children are a lot more competent than we give them credit for. If you show a child the effects of a gun on say a pumpkin or watermelon, he's going to be a lot less likely to hang around when little Johnny is screwing around with his Dad's gun.

Love the ideas Mihir

sara 7-02-2009 @ 10:47PM

I fully agree, I am both an avid Hello Kitty collector and a member of the NRA. My sons are brought up to treat all firearms as loaded and that they are not toys.You could also pick on Flintstones vitamins. They are cute, tasty and a child can overdose on them and die. A parent is in charge of what comes into their childs hand no one else. In Japan they also released a Hello Kitty vibrator. Not being marketed to children. Several Companies have realized their original consumers have grown up and still are great fans. So they branch out with high end items that you would not give a child. Example MAC cosmetics had a limited edition line of Hello Kitty cosmetics with a $90 jeweled powder compact. They make an excellent powder so I did purchase the whole collection, did I let my god daughter play with it, NO.
Your the parent sensor your own child. There is a market for these items, and a full grown adult can control his own inner child.

Peachtree85 7-21-2009 @ 8:36AM

I think you guys are crazy to say there is nothing wrong with this!! I think the big issue is that a children's brand logo is pasted on it.

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