Real or fake, need stricter rules on use of guns

The car in which the accused escaped from the bar

A man celebrating his 38th birthday triggered chaos at a lounge bar in Malad after he ‘fired' six rounds in the air. Post arresting him, the police found that he had used a toy gun which sounds similar to real bullets being fired.

The police was cited in a report stating that a group was partying at a lounge and an altercation arose with another group. While both sides were trying to intimidate each other, this man whipped out the pistol and fired. There was panic as patrons fled and some were seen speeding away in cars. After he was caught, he told the cops that the toy gun made noises akin to a real firearm and was used at weddings and on celebratory occasions.

These guns are available on e-commerce platforms. Though they are ‘fake' weapons, they should not be used by people who must have discretion and good sense. Adults must realise the panic these guns create. In the melee to get away, a disaster scenario can unfold. Panic leads to frantic reactions where logic and reason have no place. There could have been a stampede, speeding cars can spell extreme danger on roads.

Why should one need to fire shots, whether from a toy gun or otherwise, to celebrate? This is immature and misplaced machismo. The authorities must move on toy guns being sold on e-commerce platforms, there has to be strict regulation.

Malls, pubs, hotels where bags of guests are checked when entering should flag these and disallow them, even if fake.

In the end though, people need to use their common sense and desist from these taking into account intended and sometimes unintended though tragic circumstances of this shooting. Altercations may occur at parties but dialogue or just keeping two individuals apart should be the solution.