# Wal Mart.. Gun section borders toy section **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 22, 2003, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430 "2003-12-22T08:30:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/21 "2003-12-22T13:53:27Z")
Um, **Radar** … I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. Cut what out? ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/22 "2003-12-22T14:48:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*\*\*P.A.\*\*, I believe there is increased risk compared to having the toy section border ANY other section in the store. > > You can purchase ammo there. Small and very explosive objects are being passed over the counter to _presumably_ well trained members of the public, just a few feet away from toys. > > And also, nothing looks more like a gumball than a paintball. > > Like I said before, I’m not an anti-gun person by any means. I’m just a pro-safety person. \*\* Small? Yes Very Explosive? No. What do you think the _presumably_ well trained members of the public are going to do? Hit the rounds with a hammer to see if they go off? See if they can use a can of smokeless powder as an ashtray? Sorry, I just don’t see a **LEGITIMATE** safety issue here. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/23 "2003-12-22T14:53:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*\*\*P.A. **You can purchase ammo there. Small and very explosive objects are being passed over the counter to _presumably_ well trained members of the public, just a few feet away from toys.** So _what_? I am having trouble understanding your concern. What are you afraid might happen? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/24 "2003-12-22T14:56:32Z")
The ammo is a threat. How hard would it be for a kid to find a piece of ammo that has been mishandled by a highly trained person (or anyone else over the age of 18) and to bring it home to experiment with later? Yes, unlikely, but possible. There would be less of a chance for this to happen if the toy section was not near the firearm section. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/25 "2003-12-22T14:57:26Z")
Clay, one reason they might put the two departments right next to each other is so Little Timmy can look at toys while Papa Bear can look at his firearms and whatnot. It’s just good ol’ capitalism at work. Putting the toy section there might be a way for parents to get the kids out of their hair for a few minutes, that’s all. It’s not as if Little Timmy is gonna tire of Ninja Turtles and start playing with guns in the gun section. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/26 "2003-12-22T15:00:48Z")
My local supermarket has the audacity to put wholesome food products like fresh bread right near dangerous poisons like bleach and Drano. Children walk down those aisles, filled with a variety poisons, they could easily open the bottles and drink down a deadly dose. The bottles are right near the ground too, what are they thinking? We need to shut these places down! ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/27 "2003-12-22T15:11:50Z")
I’m not calling for the end of Wal Mart, no matter how much I’d like to see that. I’m just calling for a change in safety. And Papa Bear can look at all the camping gear that currently borders both the gun section and the toy section or the auto supply section not far from that. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/28 "2003-12-22T15:14:15Z")
Papa Bear doesn’t _want_ to look at the camping gear. Papa Bear wants to look at guns. Do not presume to tell Papa Bear what to look at! ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/29 "2003-12-22T15:26:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*The ammo is a threat. How hard would it be for a kid to find a piece of ammo that has been mishandled by a highly trained person (or anyone else over the age of 18) and to bring it home to experiment with later? > > Yes, unlikely, but possible. There would be less of a chance for this to happen if the toy section was not near the firearm section. \*\* Sure, it is possible. But what if the toy section was located near the hardware department, then you’ll have kids taking home hammers and nails and playing “jesus”, or something. :eek: Unlikely, but possible. Point being, where ever you decide put the toy section, the threat will be the same for all sections of the store. Toys & Paint section, Toys & Hardware, Toys & Sports, etc… ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/30 "2003-12-22T15:41:11Z")
Toys and T-Shirts… ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/31 "2003-12-22T15:50:54Z")
clayton, you’re being a bit too overprotective here. If anything, the gun section is safer than many other sections. The kitchen section has knives, the stationary section has scissors, the hardware section has hammers and screwdrivers, the grocery section has bleach and ammonia, the pharmacy has drugs, all of which are dangerous and NOT locked safely away in cases. Individual bullets without guns to go in are not all that dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/32 "2003-12-22T16:00:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*Individual bullets without guns to go in are not all that dangerous. \*\* Yes, they are. If anything, they’re the single most dangerous gun related object and should be treated with the same respect and safety measures that one would have while handling a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/33 "2003-12-22T16:09:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*The ammo is a threat. How hard would it be for a kid to find a piece of ammo that has been mishandled by a highly trained person (or anyone else over the age of 18) and to bring it home to experiment with later? > > Yes, unlikely, but possible. There would be less of a chance for this to happen if the toy section was not near the firearm section. \*\* Very very unlikely. Is that seriously what you are worried about happening? Has it ever happened before? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/34 "2003-12-22T16:21:16Z")
I odn’t know if it ever has happened before but with more than thirty-two hundred outlets in the U.S. alone ([link](http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainnews.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0308708137.1072109858@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadcjjgkkfjhcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=news&categoryOID=-8764&catID=-8248&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp)), all with the same toy/gun layout, there’s bound to be a situation eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/35 "2003-12-22T16:23:01Z")
Well, like, these kids could knock over a clerk, steal the keys, break into the gun cabinet, somehow match up a rifle with a box of ammunition, load it, and then hurt themselves in some way. C’mon, people! WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?! ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/36 "2003-12-22T16:27:44Z")
If you read even the post before yours you would know we’re theorizing about a scenario that doesn’t include a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/37 "2003-12-22T17:07:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*Yes, they are. If anything, they’re the single most dangerous gun related object and should be treated with the same respect and safety measures that one would have while handling a firearm. \*\* Simply _not true_. A loaded firearm is many orders of magnitude more “risky” than loose ammo. I have lots of ammo in the house, none of which is locked up. I have young children who (_gasp!_) handle it all the time. It’s _much_ safer than a lot of my tools. Suffice to say, your fear of ammunition is without justification. ---
**Author:** ![sarclmbr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@sarclmbr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sarclmbr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/38 "2003-12-22T19:19:36Z")
I gotta agree with crafter\_man. . . I’d be much more worried about kids getting hurt with a much more volitile product found in many more sheds, garages and households called GASOLINE. Nobody locks that stuff up. . . and I don’t know about you but I played with matches when I was young. Growing up I was tought to have a healthy respect for guns and the like. . . they were not hidden in a way to make us curious but explained to us so we understood their uses and dangers. I think that Wal-Mart sells guns right where they should be, along with sporting goods. . . which is one of their intended uses. ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/39 "2003-12-22T20:05:33Z")
I’m not overly fond of guns, but as long as they’re in their proper place and well monitored, I’m all for people enjoying them. I can’t see any real reason why the gun section shouldn’t be near the toy section. It’s far more dangerous for us to try to pretend to our kids that guns don’t exist than to live safely with them. -Lil ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/40 "2003-12-22T21:13:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*Simply _not true_. A loaded firearm is many orders of magnitude more “risky” than loose ammo. \*\* Ok, I was talking about any single gun related object, I wasn’t thinking about the possibility of a loaded firearm. > [@](#): > > \*\* I have lots of ammo in the house, none of which is locked up. I have young children who (_gasp!_) handle it all the time. It’s _much_ safer than a lot of my tools. \*\* Yeah, I grew up in a household that didn’t mind ammo at all, although I wish it had. For a couple of years I even had a collection of different types of small ammo. No, I never hurt myself or others with it, but I think that I shouldn’t have been allowed to have ammo because what _could_ have happened. I wised up around 13 or so and got rid of it all. And you should lock up your ammo, **Crater\_Man**. Yes, it is _pretty_ safe, more safe than say, gasoline, but why have something around your home that your kids could take and experiment with their friend’s dad’s gun that isn’t locked up like yours? That isn’t the topic of the thread, though, so I won’t expand much on it. And **Sar** , yes, gasoline can be much more dangerous. So are a lot of things around the house, I’m sure a knife could do a lot more damage than a single .22 round in little Jimmy’s hands. But why have one more _psudo_-dangerous thing around to worry about? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430.md?page=3)