School teacher calls for ban on toy guns in VI
Mathematics teacher and author Ms Khalilah Callwood took to Facebook via the Real BVI Community Board’s page on February 27, 2023, where she shared her concerns over a disturbing incident she witnessed.
Playful ‘Drive by shooting’
Sharing a photo of several toy guns, Ms Callwood said she saw a student enacting a violent scene using a toy gun.
“Recently, I witnessed a scene from a movie playing out right before my eyes. It involved students chilling by the roadside and another student rolling up on them with one of the images shown in the picture, and opening fire on them. Of course these kids found joy in the activity that was now taking place, with others joining”, Callwood related.
The teacher continued by pointing out increasing issues with crime and violence involving shootings across the territory, as she questioned why parents would purchase such toys for their children and why shopkeepers and proprietors stock them.
“Customs Officers, why do you allow these ‘toys’ to enter our territory? Government Officials, why haven’t you looked into banning these ‘toys’? In the past, I have spoken to students and advised them against using the same, but chose not to say anything to this set, due to personal reasons.
“There was an interesting discussion at the end of one of the debates about who’s to blame for the state of affairs of our students, and as usual everyone is pointing fingers at the other side. But if we are to be totally honest, we all are responsible”, Callwood noted, while calling on all to assist in mending the villages.
‘They play it like a video game’- Nehassie Chalwell
Callwood’s Facebook post received huge support on Facebook and some persons even shared similar experiences.
“I see a lot of teens playing this game in my community where they dress up in masks and dark clothing, sneak up on each other, and open fire. They play it like a video game but I’m concerned that after they get tired of the toy gun it's possible for them to want to experience the real thing, sigh,” commented Nehassie Challwell on his Facebook page, where he shared Ms Callwood’s post.
Mr Chalwell admonished parents to be careful what they allow their children to watch, play or take part in.
“It could be more serious than you think. And stop telling me the story bout he/she is a child leave them alone. Stop taking it for granted and a joke the kids practice what they see on social media or TV. You need to pay a lot more attention to your kids day to day lifestyles.
“The Minister of Education gave some distasteful news about the weapons they have been finding in kids' possession in school. Parents a beg ayo please pay attention stop buying your kids these guns before its too late,” Mr Chalwell pleaded.
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26 Responses to “School teacher calls for ban on toy guns in VI”
Ban scooters, why not ban alcohol and cigarettes, why not Gan the crooked politicians, the answer is not in banning it is in parental discipline. It is in what we gave become a godless society. Parents don't go to church, you can't send the children you have to take them. Let us start banning everything that is evil. If we do the first person the ban is slowman, evil to the core. Let's ban csc came out the womb evil.
Are we willing to have a referendum held in the very near future on this topic matter, as much as we do on other matters not as important as this one? No! The majority of us don't. How else can we expect violent gun crimes to be curb or reduce in the BVI?
Talk alone without needful actions is of no help towards better governance regardless of those that are or those that will be elected next general election. Agreed?
the school system in the bvi is going to the dogs, Hospital need stuff. not cause a child have a toy gun makes him think or feel he need the real one, we the parents need to step into our kids life and see what happen and stop blame toys, tv or the internet.
AMEN to that...
If you the the parent in your bed sleeping and your child who have a tv or some other device in their rooms allowing to stay up playing games without time limit. TOY guns are not our problem, CONSOLE GAMES and LACK OF PROPER PARENTING is our situation ins society today.
Parents rather be a friend or best buddy than an actually parent, and when they decide to put their food down it's too late. Why. Because your child saw you as a friend and friendship can be broken
I remember Mr.Scatliffe and Noel Llyod having toy guns with the roll of pop-shots that we used to load them up with. Me and none of my friends I plays with as a child grew up to be criminals using guns. People obtain and use guns either out of fear for their safety or to right a wrong the police does not and in most cases cannot deal with in a satisfactory manner.