L.A. Council backs ban on real-looking toy guns

The Los Angeles City Council has given preliminary approval to a ban on the sale and manufacture of realistic-looking toy guns. Council members endorsed the proposed ordinance by a unanimous vote Tuesday. If approved on a second reading next week, and not vetoed by Mayor Tom Bradley, the proposal would become law 30 days later, just after the Christmas shopping season.

Councilman Nate Holden, author of the Los Angeles proposal, noted that people have been killed when police officers or others with weapons mistook the toys for the real thing.

The $200 million toy-gun industry has already begun responding.

Toys R Us reported that it has begun notifying manufacturers it will no longer carry toy guns that look like real ones, a company spokesman said.

Another toy company, Daisy Manufacturing Company, is supporting federal legislation that would set guidelines on how toy guns would be marked.

Violation of the proposed Los Angeles ordinance would be a misdemeanor carrying a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.