From: http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=8001754&nav=menu554_2_10
This is scary:
First, it would be a weapon.... Ok...
Secondly, it is a DESTRUCIBLE message? And this is the superintendent of schools!!!!????
Also, I love how the policeman said they were designed to look real... while the seller said
Those poor police, always running into criminals wearing a diamond encrusted gun on their belt.
Guns: A New Fashion Statement?
Posted: March 11, 2008 10:02 PM EDT
Updated: March 11, 2008 10:44 PM EDT
Featured Video
Gun: A Fashion Statement?
By Michelle Costa
Fashion is very important for teenagers. But, there's a new fashion hitting local clothing stores causing some concern to people. On Sunday, we brought you the story of a mall store selling plastic guns as clothing accessories. Tuesday, Local News 8 looked into the impact of this fashion statement.
These little plastic guns are the latest clothing accessory, they're belt buckles. The store manager of Track 101 didn't want to speak with us on camera, but she said it's their right to sell them.
"It's on a belt buckle. You can completely see it. It has diamonds on it. You can completely tell it's fake," said the Track 101 Manager.
"It may be offensive to some, but, you know, we can't please everyone. We have customers who like it. We do apologize if we do offend anyone, of course," said the manager.
If you walk through the Pine Ridge Mall right now, you'll notice that the display for Track 101 has changed. It doesn't include the gun belt anymore. The manager said it's not because people complained.
She said they changed it for their new summer display.
We've received many emails both in favor and against the store's display. With the public's interest, we wanted to know if it's truly a concern.
If these plastic guns do become popular, our local schools aren't going to accept it.
"If a student came to school with a belt that was promoting a gun, we would consider that a weapon and we would deal with it from a weapons perspective," said Mary Vagner, Pocatello/Chubbuck Schools Superintendent.
"That sends to children a very wrong message. And it is a destructible message," said Vagner.
Chubbuck Police agree. They've been warning the public about plastic guns for awhile now and have actually had an incident of two teens presenting a fake gun in December.
"In a situation when it's low light , officers are responding to a call from a citizen, a concerned citizen, they don't know if the guns are real or not," Cpt. Ken Quinn, Assistant Chief of Chubbuck Police.
"They design these guns specifically to look real. The only thing that toys are supposed to have is an orange cap at the end of the barrel," said Cpt. Quinn.
Chubbuck Police said they don't have the authority to stop them from displaying the guns, but are still concerned about the statement they are showing.
This is scary:
If a student came to school with a belt that was promoting a gun, we would consider that a weapon and we would deal with it from a weapons perspective," said Mary Vagner, Pocatello/Chubbuck Schools Superintendent.
"That sends to children a very wrong message. And it is a destructible message," said Vagner.
First, it would be a weapon.... Ok...
Secondly, it is a DESTRUCIBLE message? And this is the superintendent of schools!!!!????
Also, I love how the policeman said they were designed to look real... while the seller said
"It's on a belt buckle. You can completely see it. It has diamonds on it. You can completely tell it's fake," said the Track 101 Manager
Those poor police, always running into criminals wearing a diamond encrusted gun on their belt.