You can tell it's MATTEL, it's swell.

BronxBoy © George S. Zimbel 2010

There’s a story in the news today about a 17 year old boy who shot eight people at a Bronx holiday party over the weekend, including two kids ages 11 and 13. 

Just a couple of miles from here. I don't get it. Kids in the 1950’s and 60’s played with guns but they were toys. TV shows like the Naked City (New York City cops)...

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Wagon Train (cowboys)

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and the Man from U.N.C.L.E (spies) 

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...played a large role inspiring such shenanigans. We dressed-up in our Dad’s hand me down’s and ran around in the yard shooting off greenie stickem caps until it was time for dinner.

Today Bronx residents seven-to-one actually want their handguns and so kids play cops and robbers with real cops. What happened?  

When I “killed my best friend” back in the day and he fell dead in the dirt clutching his chest, we both knew it was play. We were clear about the difference between a toy and a gun and we’d never dream of getting a real one.

I shot my kid sister so many times it’s a wonder she still speaks to me. At least she still can.