A SEMI-AUTOMATIC toy gun rated the most popular toy for boys this Christmas has raised the ire of a global peace movement.
The rapid-fire Nerf gun, which makers promise will "deliver a semi-auto barrage of darts as fast as you can pull the trigger", is the top-rating boys' toy on a list released by the Australian National Retailers Association.
But the gun, along with a field of similarly sophisticated toy weapons, has triggered concern among child safety experts, the anti-gun lobby and the Tasmanian branch of an international peace movement.
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom has renewed its campaign against toy guns, in response to the growing popularity of the high-powered imitation arsenal for children.
Its Tasmanian branch president, Linley Grant OAM, urged families to resist buying toy guns this Christmas.
"Toys are for fun, not for fighting," she said.
Mrs Grant has written to the Education Department about the league's concerns and has compiled a flyer, about the dangers of war-like toys for schools, to hand out to parents.
"War toys create the impression that 'might is right' rather than helping children to learn kindness and generosity, reconciliation and acceptance of others," the flyer says.
Education Department deputy secretary Liz Banks said the flyers had been distributed to all schools, government and non-government.
Hi-tech Nerf guns, which shoot foam darts or discs and are intended for eight-year-olds and above, have been high on lists of popular Christmas gifts for several years.
They have become so popular that the national Toy and Game expo in Sydney next year is planning a 20m by 10m Nerf Arena, which organisers expect will be one of the top attractions.
Gun Control Australia has raised concerns about the popularity of such realistic toy guns. Spokesman Roland Browne said there had been a resurgence in toy guns in recent years but it was a "trend we shouldn't be accepting".
"We should be trying to move away from an American gun culture," he said.
Kidsafe Tasmania chief executive Jenny Branch said toy guns seemed more powerful each year and posed a potential physical danger.
She said long-range toy guns could cause eye injuries and she urged parents to include safety goggles with any gun gifts.
Mrs Branch said the toys should not be used near children under eight or left around for young children to access.
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