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House eyes ban on toy guns
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Posted on May 31 1999
Concerned over proliferation in the market of toy guns resembling the real ones, the House of Representatives is considering a legislation that will ban the sale of the products from store shelves and forbid their importation in efforts to deter crime on the island.
Rep. Malua T. Peter has sponsored the measure to make selling and importation of the toy guns a criminal offense in the CNMI punishable of up to one year imprisonment or $100 to $1,000 fine.
House Bill 11-417 or the Toy Gun Control Act of 1999 aims to eliminate any possible intended misuse of such toy guns for criminal purposes such as armed burglary and criminal assault that may result to death or injury from self-defense action by the police or any individual.
“The Legislature is gravely concerned that toy guns which are virtually indistinguishable from their real counterparts are being sold in the CNMI for the enjoyment of children,” the bill stressed in its findings.
“However, the intended use of such toy guns may be mistaken by even police officers for a real handgun. The size, markings, shape and overall appearance of such guns are almost alike making it quite difficult to distinguish between a real handgun and a toy gun,” it added.
If the measure becomes law, the Division of Customs will implement the proposed rules and regulations regarding entry of these toys into the Commonwealth, while the Department of Public Safety shall dispose any existing products being sold by retailers in the market.
Peter’s proposal came on the heels of complaints from residents who have expressed alarmed over the proliferation of the toy guns on the island which have become popular among children.
These guns are openly sold in mom-and-pop stores in the absence of any law that prohibits their sale, according to the Saipan representative.
She has earlier appealed to other lawmakers to consider the proposed bill to help tighten customs watch on imported toys, asking their support in view of the toy’s potential harmful effects on the children who have been exposed to all types of violence through the media, particularly television.
It was not known as to when the House will take action on the measure.
