On Wednesday, an Afghanistan official stated the banning of toy guns in Kabul after at least 116 children in the city suffered injuries during the three-day Eid al-Fitr festival. Plastic air guns and plastic pellet guns have always been present during the celebration, which is also being blamed by parents and activists for the Afghan gun culture.
"The Ministry of Interior has banned the toy guns. It is an effort to prevent violence among children. Their safety comes first," said spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi, according to News 24.
The collection of toy guns from shops was ordered Tuesday, an action gaining support from most parents.
"I very much 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. Psychologically, it has a negative impact on the future of the kids," said Basir Ahmad, a father of two in Kabul, reported News 24.
The tradition of giving pocket money to children during Eid al-Fitr has given a big advantage to the sales of AK-47 imitations and has always been considered by the children as a mainstay during the festival. However, this part of the celebration ends this year because of the ban, according to the Guardian.
Not every parent is in favor of the toy gun ban though. "Guns aren't the problem, people are. If you teach your children a respect for life and others, then guns are only toys to kids at this age," said mother of 10 Anne Lewis, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border, was the first to give the banning order, with hopes of making it permanent, according to RT.com.
