Greens shocked to find lethal weapons sold as toys

Green Party MP Sue Bradford has asked the Minister of Consumer Affairs to investigate after a report that potentially lethal weapons are being sold to children.

A concerned shopper contacted Ms Bradford after observing a child purchase a nunchaku - a martial arts weapon - at a cheap imports shop in Westfield Mall in Lower Hutt.

"These weapons, which are made up of two round pieces of wood connected by a chain, can cause serious injury and should not be being put into the hands of children," Ms Bradford says.

"I am shocked to find that they are so easily available, and at just $2 easily affordable, to kids."

"I am doing everything I can, with my repeal of section 59 private members' bill, to discourage violence against children and these retailers are adding to the armoury of weapons in the home. It's adding another dimension to the culture of violence that permeates many homes and streets.

"I do not have a problem with martial artists owning and using them as they are trained to do so, but to allow children to have them is a recipe for disaster.

"Children are exposed to these kinds of weapons in video games and it not a big step to take that virtual violence into the real world if they have a set of nunchaku in their toy box.

"I have written to the Minister of Consumer Affairs to ask for the sale of these weapons to be investigated, with a view to having them restricted to those who can prove they have the training to use them safely, as is the practise with reputable martial arts suppliers."

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