Kabul – Afghan government has banned the use and sale of toy guns after no fewer than 116 children suffered injuries while playing with the toys in Kabul during the three-day Eid festival.
Sediq Sediqqi, Ministry of Interior Spokesman, said children playing with the plastic guns which have become a mainstay of the celebrations.
He said the ban was in an effort to prevent violence among children because their safety was paramount.
Sediqqi said plastic air guns which fire rubber or plastic pellets have become extremely popular among children in recent years a trend that activists and parents blame on the Afghan gun culture.
He said guns and firearms are visible everywhere, from shops and restaurants to schools and playgrounds, mostly for security.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Noorolhaq Olomi, has ordered that all toy guns must be collected from shops.
Report said many parents have embraced the idea, describing it as a brilliant idea.
Basir Ahmad, a father of two in Kabul said he support the effort because toy guns are a way of encouraging children to join in the violence.
“The children play both sides, cops and robbers”, he said.
Ahmad said psychologically it has a negative impact on the future of the kids. (dpa/NAN)
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