BY GERRY LEE GORIT
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Citing the safety of children, this city’s legislative body want to craft a local law that will control the sale of toy gun replicas in Cagayan de Oro.
Among those who are pushing for the creation of a new legislation were Councilor Girlie Balaba and Councilor Romeo Calizo.
In a recent session at the city council, Calizo showed to his fellow councilors a replica of a toy gun is similar to the real firearms.
A new ordinance, said Balaba, must be crafted to address this concern that was brought up during the recent city council session by Councilor Romeo Calizo.
The old ordinance was passed in 2010 and since then toy guns have become more realistic and more sophisticated, Balaba said.
Balaba was referring to Ordinance 11716-2010, which prohibits the public display of airsoft guns, air or pellet guns and water guns.
She said that 2010 local law must be implemented but at the same time, another ordinance must be crafted to keep in tune with the times.
The concern for the welfare and well-being of children was what prompted Balaba to support any measure that would ban the sale of toy guns.
The lady councilor added parents and business owners must not encourage children to play with toy guns but rather on wholesome games.
For his part, Calizo said the 2010 ordinance must be implemented already as there are reports of people who sustained injuries from playing toy guns specifically those that use pellets as ammunition.
