# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/81 "2003-12-23T08:54:23Z")
FWIW, in my local Super WalMart the guns are across the hardware and auto department from the toys. clayton\_e… the underwear isn’t away from the toys to protect the kids. They put it in the center of the store so that every woman out buying groceries will glance over and see something they think is cute, and maybe wander over and see if they have a matching thong, and oooh! A black lace nightie… ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/82 "2003-12-23T09:10:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > \*\*Night shift. \*\* - aha ---
**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 23, 2003, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/83 "2003-12-23T11:02:46Z")
[sarcasm] **CrazyCatLady** : You’re using _reason_ and _logic_. Reason and logic are not allowed when talking about guns. Instead, we must propose meaningless gestures that _feel good_. As long as we _feel good_, we don’t need to use our brains. [/sarcasm] As for me, I _like_ the gun department next to the toy department. It allows kids to at least _see_ guns who might not otherwise be exposed to them. For the unfortunate child that has anti-gun parents, merely _seeing_ a gun is better than nothing IMO. ---
**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 23, 2003, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/84 "2003-12-23T11:43:47Z")
Not to try and get too far off track, but this just entered my head. We have a 13yo kid getting hit by a BB gun at WalMart. I dunno about everyone else, but when **I** was 13, I wanted a BB gun, as did many of my friends. Put the BB gun display in the middle of the feminine hygiene section of the store, and we’d still be there looking them over. The gun section’s proximity to the toy section was likely irrelevant to the incident. The cite does not state that the kid was there looking at toys, nor does it state who the shooter was or how the BB gun got loaded and set to fire. ---
**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 23, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/85 "2003-12-23T12:35:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*As for me, I _like_ the gun department next to the toy department. It allows kids to at least _see_ guns who might not otherwise be exposed to them. For the unfortunate child that has anti-gun parents, merely _seeing_ a gun is better than nothing IMO. \*\* Why is a child who has anti-gun parents “unfortunate”? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/86 "2003-12-23T12:58:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lillalette \* > \*\*Children are not adults: they do not have the same thought processes and for this reason are not as culpable as adults in many situations. The fact that children do not think in the same way as adults leads them to think things like, “Oh, this piece of plastic is red and shiny, cherries are red and shiny, therefore this Lego must be a cherry and I can eat it.” Followed by a tracheotomy. It seems to me that the close proximity of guns to toys could lead to children thinking, “Ooh, shiny plastic and metal. Toy!” I think we can all agree that isn’t a good situation by a long shot. > > […] > > Gun education is one way, another way is to limit the associations of “gun” with “toy”, instead of a tool. The way you respect a gun is totally different than the way you respect a toy.\*\* I agree very much with this – the main reason for keeping the toys and guns separate is to reduce the likelihood of children from equating the two. Why is that so difficult for some people to grasp? To continue the grocery store analogy: it’s okay to sell both cleaning products and soft drinks in the same store, but it’s not okay to display the lemon-scented bleach next to the lemonade. You’re just asking for trouble there. ---
**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 23, 2003, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/87 "2003-12-23T13:46:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Why is a child who has anti-gun parents “unfortunate”? \*\* For the same reason a child who has racist parents is unfortunate. Or a child who has bigoted parents. ---
**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 23, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/88 "2003-12-23T13:48:25Z")
You’re comparing being anti-gun to racism? Sorry, don’t quite see the connection. Could you explain? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/89 "2003-12-23T14:10:59Z")
> [@](#): > > They don’t put shooting ranges next to schools. North Dallas High had a rifle range in the basement, back in the 1950s. The resident Army ROTC instructor taught gun safety and marksmanship there. He was pure death on careless handling of weapons OR ammo. His classes should have been required for all instead of being an elective for ROTC kids only. ---
**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 23, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/90 "2003-12-23T15:55:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*You’re comparing being anti-gun to racism? Sorry, don’t quite see the connection. Could you explain? \*\* Well, I guess I’ve never considered hoplophobia to be a _good_ thing… ---
**Author:** ![Wranglerette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@Wranglerette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wranglerette)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/91 "2003-12-23T16:27:25Z")
Honestly, I’ve often wondered why the condoms are right next to the children’s medicines? What if they do move the guns? Where are they going to put them in order to be more “safe”. Near the fabrics? I’d be afraid all those cute little housewives might take a notion to buy one then. Let’s put them by the gardening section…no, might insight a senior citizem to use a weapon other than a weed claw. I’m personally offended by the half naked posters of stars in the school aisel, but that is just me. I also think it is nasty of them to put the “miss you, wish you were here” cards next to the chocolates. I also hate how they put petite women’s clothes next to the men’s underwear and plus size women next to the children’s clothes. Doesn’t that say something??? This is all one big generalization…and we all have our opinions. The truth is Walmart is one big contradiction no matter how ya look at it. They are there to make money. In order to do that…they get attention…just like this. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go to walmart and buy some carpet sprinkle that smells of lavendar…and when I turn around I will buy a bicycle for my toddler on impulse 😛 ---
**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 23, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/92 "2003-12-23T16:48:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*Well, I guess I’ve never considered hoplophobia to be a _good_ thing… \*\* No, but is it really as bad as racism? It’s an irrational fear, not hatred. ---
**Author:** ![viking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@viking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viking)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/93 "2003-12-23T18:10:56Z")
Did **Crafter\_Man** ever say that hoplophobia was _as bad as_ racism? My reading of his post was that they are both unfortunate _for the same reason_ (namely that they are both irrational fears), but that does not imply that they are equally unfortunate… ---
**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 23, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/94 "2003-12-23T18:15:38Z")
Well, exactly; they’re _not_ IMO equally unfortunate. People who fear guns are otherwise normal people, one would think; people who are devout racists are usually monsters of the highest degree. Apples and oranges. ---
**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 23, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/95 "2003-12-23T18:45:38Z")
Ok, sorry about requesting the thread closed… Guess there still is stuff to cover. I’ll come back when I have the time. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/96 "2003-12-23T21:01:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clayton\_e \* > \*\*Yes, **Kat** , if it could happen in _one_ store it could happen in one of the other 3,200 other ones here in the states. > > And next time it might be a rifle or a shotgun. > > Just think, that BB could have hit something other than a kid… Maybe something like a big bag of fertilizer. \*\* Actually, Rifles and Shotguns, as well as ammo, are locked up. BB guns aren’t. Also, if it hits a big bag of fertilizer, so what? Maybe it creates a small hole, which then must be fixed with Duct tape or perhaps removed. ---
**Author:** ![Wranglerette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@Wranglerette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wranglerette)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/97 "2003-12-23T23:03:33Z")
BB guns come boxed, with a very hard to remove zip tie clasping the pump action lever (which is required to load and fire the weapon appropriately). My question is who removed it from the box and who broke the tie…and who loaded the danged thing. These guns aren’t just lying around waiting for someone to slip ammo into them. Most have a locking mechanism or are locked away separately from the ammo. My brother used to be the supervisor at the sporting goods section in our local walmart. He said the rules were ELABORATE so hat no one could file a lawsuit saying they were wreckless in the manner they stored and displayed their firearms. On a lighter note. My son just received his first bb gun as a christmas gift. I have not removed the tie yet, as at this time he is mostly becoming comfortable with the bb gun and accepting the great responsibility that comes along with it. Only after this will I buy him bb’s and send him to a class. I can’t wait until he turns 9. Off to hunter safety we go! IMHO it is good for children to see and respect firearms. I grew up in a country home and ate more deer meat than hamburger I think. I never had a problem with guns, nor have I known anyone in my community that has lost a child to a stray shot or hunting accident. It is good for kids to learn that the gun will do whatever actions it is told by he/she who fires it. It is time to remind our children that he/she is responsible for themselves and any inanimate object they operate. It is better for a kid to learn fear and respect than for a child to be ignorant of how a gun operates and think it is simply a toy. IMHO that is. ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/98 "2003-12-24T02:40:15Z")
I’m still confused on how the kid would get to the toy section without seeing the gun section even if they were separated. Would we be putting blinders on every child before they entered the store? -Lil ---
**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 24, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/99 "2003-12-24T03:49:54Z")
Most kids make a beeline for the toys, with perhaps a stop in electronics. If you needed to have the guns separate from the toys, it could be done without the kids _having_ to see the gun section. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430/100 "2003-12-24T05:19:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Michael Ellis \* > \*\*Why not put the guns and the dildos in the same display? \*\* Why not? If you’re packing then you’re packing. Why sweat the details? (No, I _don’t_ have anything useful to add.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-gun-section-borders-toy-section/220430.md?page=6)