I was very surprised recently while traveling through several former Soviet Eastern European countries. The stores and street vendors sold toy weapons everywhere just as the USA did in the 1960’s. The toys were imitations of AK-47’s, Uzi’s, and just about every current military weapon. The gun mindset is strong and accepted.
Air guns that are replicas of just about every gun ever made are sold in stores on the main streets, next to all the other stores.
I remember when the Woolworth’s Five and Dime, and Newberry’s Department Store had trash cans filled with WWII surplus rifles for $3, $5, and $7, based upon condition, on display right as you entered the store. I, as a very young child was allowed to pull them out and look at them.
The trip through Eastern Europe was like revisiting my childhood. We had guns everywhere, many loaded, just sitting against the wall or behind the door. No one thought anything was wrong with it.
I saw the same thing in the UK a few years ago. “Souvenir” stores sold replicas of everything up to and including a Browning machine gun, plus swords and knives.
I asked my friend about it — since firearms are highly controlled, why do you allow this? The answer was that the replicas were for collectors. The knives? At the time, that wasn’t a problem. It is today.