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."
A torch? Isn't that limey for "flashlight"?
Oh give me a frickin’ break.
I say buy more lego sets that have guns! Demand rules!
My Planet of the Apes action figures all carried machineguns. (Well, until my 7-year-old nephew was allowed to play with them when I wasn’t home . . . but that’s another story.)
They all should be real. I got my first firearm for my 6th birthday.
All the PC parents would really blow a gasket if their kiddies used their Legos to build this: http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/custom-built-lego-machine-gun
[Very cool video of a custom-built, functional Lego machine gun]
The feminization and emasculation of the male population. Who will protect the women if the men are hiding behind them? BOY’S WILL BE BOY’S
Wusification
What a bunch of pantywaists. Jihadies killing innocent people by the bushel all over the world and these jokers are worried about a plastic gun on a microscopic action figure. Maybe someday we'll get our priorities in order.
And for alternative lifestyles, there’s “Lego Brokeback Mountain”:
http://destinationdaniel.smugmug.com/gallery/1213678#56771253
Apparently the very mention of the concept of "guns" is a terrible faux pas. The staff thought it was appropriate to humiliate my grandson by making him turn his shirt inside out to punish him for mentioning the word "guns".
What a bunch of pansie liberals is "nurturing" our children. They are teaching them that to resist or fight is horrible, unmentionable.
I agree. I don’t want guns in them.
Shh! My boys use duplos and legos to make guns.
Yep. Legos are supposed to be for creativity. I want my kids to build their own guns.
If our grandfathers had been brought up in today’s atmosphere, we would be speaking German and Japanese.
That isn’t Ann Coulter, is it?
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