Lego has upset fans by giving some of its play figures realistic-looking guns and pistols. Posted on 05/11/2007 5:55:51 PM PDT by holymoly
Lego has upset fans by giving some of its play figures realistic-looking guns and pistols.
For generations its products have been seen as providing harmless fun - it was even said that for years it refused to supply green bricks in case boys used them to make tanks.
But critics accuse it of changing its stance, partly because of tie-ins with big-budget films and partly to counter the challenge of action-packed computer games.
The new versions of its Star Wars Stormtroopers now carry guns so large they can hardly hold them, despite the previous ones having nothing more alarming than a torch.
The company's latest Batman sets also include semi-automatic pistols and Tommy guns.
And its futuristic Bionicle robot creations are armed to the teeth with blades and blasters.
Lego fans and members of The Brickish Association, which bills itself as forum for adult fans of Lego, say there has been a clear shift in policy.
One senior figure in the association said the company had used semi-realistic guns in the past, for pirate sets and those for cowboys, but nothing like those seen in its Star Wars and Batman products.
"Lego's take on creating weaponry has changed over the years," he said.
"My understanding is that the philosophy of the founding fathers of the company was to be non-violent and not to include realistic guns.
"But as they have got more realistic sets and sets that are licensed with big films, there has been an acceptance of guns.
"I very much hope Lego is not being dragged along by a trend for more violent toys and games.
"The philosophy of the company is very family friendly, non-violent, play."
Huw Millington, who runs the Brickset website, said: "There has been a change in emphasis with more realistic-looking guns. It may be that the tie-up with Hollywood is to blame.
"Some people say the brand has gone downhill since it signed licensing deals with big films, but personally I don't agree."
Lego said the Star Wars accessories were changed to make them closer to what fans saw on screen.
A spokesman added that the company, which was founded in Denmark in 1932, was careful about its policy on guns, saying: "We would still never make modern warfare weapons."
Countdown to classic literature that has violence/weapons/offensive magic being banned from the schools.
You have got to be kidding me. They are using now if their is any tobacco use in movies is a reason to rate it. What is going on in this country we rate movies if someone smokes a cigarette which last time I checked is legal.
Across the ocean, children are taught to throw rocks at tanks and resist and kill Americans. They are taught that it is a brave thing to wear the belt and kill themselves and infidels. When these children meet ours on tomorrows’ battlefield, who will have the advantage?
They’ll advance waving crayon pictures of guns on construction paper and our boys will scatter and call for help.
Lego has delighted fans by giving some of its play figures realistic-looking guns and pistols.
Hey, here's an idea: don't buy the kits with them. My boys love the star wars kits. I've got 20 year old pirate kits with guns and cannons.
LOL!
tooo damn funny...
“I agree. I don’t want guns in them.”
Wow, from the time my daughters were 8-10 YO, they were exposed to, trained on and handled guns. My wife and I insisted on it.
Today (they are in their 30’s now) they respect and understand the potential harm AND GOOD possible with weapons.
Last I heard, no one in my family has threatened (needlessly), harmed or killed anyone.
I’m an AFOL (Adult Friend of Lego). Because of the paucity of weapons, some AFOLers have taken to actually casting their own plastic weapons. I’ve got a few special-built ones (actually my son does, he got if from someone in my AFOL club).
Lego has a large and growing adult fan base, that do a lot of very adult things with their Legos , including some very realistic modern warfare layouts with tanks, planes, guns, the works. I’ve seen some excellent renditions of weaponry.
The guy recounts stories and lessons from the Bible, using Legos to illustrate. He's got several "suggestive" pictures like the for marriage.
This however is my favorite, about the role of Women in the church and family:
I saw this in the bookstore a while ago. It's the bible in pictures with lego people. kind of weird, but i got a chuckle...
You should see the cool guns my kids made our of our K’nex sets.
My daughter was working with two boys on a project about Medieval weaponry, and yesterday the shop teacher told them they weren’t allowed to build wooden weapons in shop class.
Today they found out it was OK, but the shop teacher didn’t want to help, so now they are scrambling to get the work done.
We played with guns that looked real that used “caps” to make loud sounds. I guess we turned out pretty bad, except it isn’t OUR generation running around shooting up schools.
My 7 year old’s favorite toy is a rubber band gun. He’s been asking for a pop gun since he watched the old Our Gang shorts.
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