Gun For Tots

In response to a bill under consideration in the New York City Council that would make all toy guns illegal – even brightly colored water pistols – the Manhattan Libertarian Party announced “Guns for Tots,” a new “philanthropic” program that would put toy guns in the hands of the city’s youth while it was still legal. Current law already makes “realistic” toy guns illegal in NYC, but provides exceptions for those that are brightly colored or otherwise obviously not actual firearms.

The Manhattan LP issued a press release in January stating that it would collect toy guns from its members and other interested citizens. The press release stated that members of the local party would testify at a Consumer Affairs Committee hearing about the proposed legislation on February 6th. After the hearing, the Libertarians would head uptown to distribute the toy guns outside P.S. 72 in Harlem.

To be sure, not all of the coverage was favorable. In particular, the local news dwelled on criticism from elected officials, the angry reaction of some parents at the school, and accusations of racism for holding the event in Harlem. Interestingly, the national media was much more favorable toward the Libertarian position. For example, the day after “Gun For Tots,” Walter Williams – guest-hosting the Rush Limbaugh Show – thanked the Manhattan Libertarian Party for giving away toy guns in Harlem.

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