Red, yellow, green and blue bricks: the weapon looks like a toy. An American company has created a controversy by marketing kits with the appearance of Lego to cover real pistols, while firearms kill hundreds of children each year in the United States. This initiative prompted the Danish toy manufacturer to send a letter of formal notice to the company in question.
“Our organization contacted Lego, who then sent a letter of formal notice to the irresponsible arms manufacturer”, asserted on Twitter Tuesday, July 13 Shannon Watts, founder of the Moms Demand Action association, which campaigns for stronger legislation on weapons. The semi-automatic weapon thus personalized by the company Culper Precision, which is located in Utah, in the west of the United States, was called “Block19” and costs between 549 and 765 dollars.
“This is one of our childhood dreams that comes true”, explained the company in a publication promoting “Block19”, posted on Instagram on June 24. “The guns are cool. Shooting with a weapon is nice ”, could we also read on its website in a page dedicated to the product and now deleted.
The fight against gun violence, a priority for the US president
“It is irresponsible and dangerous beyond imaginable. Even when the guns don’t look like toys, kids can use them ”, tweeted Tuesday Mme Watts. “In 2021, more than 165 accidental shootings due to children took place”, she added, relying on figures from the organization Everytown. Last year, 142 people died after “Involuntary shots” children or minors, according to the same source.
Culper Precision President Brandon Scott has confirmed at Washington post have received Lego’s formal notice. He decided to comply with his demands, after having sold less than twenty “Block19” pistols.
This controversy comes at a time when Joe Biden has made the fight against“Epidemic” gun violence in the United States one of the priorities of his mandate. In June, the Democratic President presented measures to limit the proliferation of firearms at the federal level. But Congress is very divided and Democrats are struggling to advance their cause.