Another kid with a fake gun shot by a cop

[Lizzie Poppet]

11. In this particular case, I'm not sure I agree.

That pistol looks VERY real, even in a clear, large picture. My first reaction to that pic was to wonder why they used a picture of a real pistol (and I OWN a rather similar Smith & Wesson handgun). I'd be more inclined to call that a "replica" than a "toy." Not to excuse the cop (the story seems to indicate that he was too quick on the trigger), but I can't imagine letting a kid of mine have something like that for a toy.

Of course, at 14, what parents think they're "letting" their kids have and what the kids actually have are often two different things. =(