By Alexander Wilson-
A US gun company is facing a backlash for producing a pistol that looks like a children’s toy made of Lego.
Danish toymaker Lego has written to the company demanding that it stop producing the weapon, which is covered in what looks like Lego bricks.
Culper Precision said its customized Glock weapon, named Block19 was developed to “highlight the pure enjoyment of the shooting sports”.
Gun control campaigners have described the pistol as irresponsible and dangerous.
Shannon Watts, of the Everytown for Gun Safety campaign group, said her organization had contacted Lego about the customized Block19 last week, and that the Danish company had then sent a “cease and desist” letter to Culper Precision.
Ms Watts also criticized the gun company, which is based in Utah, saying there was a risk that children may be drawn to use firearms “even when guns don’t look like toys”.
Culper Precision said in a statement that it had chosen to release the Block19 in an attempt to show that guns were “for everyone” and that “owning and shooting firearms responsibly is a really enjoyable activity”.
It added that the firearm could only be purchased by those legally permitted to own a gun.
Culper Precision president Brandon Scott told the Washington Post newspaper that after discussions with a lawyer he decided to comply with the request from Lego.
Lego has reportedly sent a cease and desist order to a gunmaker who sparked controversy with a casing for a Glock pistol that looks like a child’s toy.
Block19, as the gun was branded, attracted the ire of parent’s rights for its bright blue, red, yellow and green design.
Shannon Watts, from Moms Demand Action, said she alerted Lego to the design last week.
She wrote on Twitter: “I tweeted about this gun meant to look like a toy last week and our organization reached out to Lego. The company then sent a cease and desist letter to the reckless gun maker, and he says he’s complying. He claims he’d sold 20 of the guns so far.”
We wanted the second amendment to simply be too painful to tread on, so there was only one logical solution,’ Culper Precision, the company behind the handgun, said.
‘Here’s one of those childhood dreams coming to life, the Block 19 prototype, yes you can actually build Legos onto it. That RMR is comprised of miscellaneous pieces and a red lightsaber.
‘We superglued it all together and surprisingly it survived a little over 1500 rounds in full auto at Shootah this past weekend! If you missed @utahshooters #shootah event you sure missed a party!’
Shannon Watts, founder of the group Moms Demand Action, which advocates for stricter gun controls in the US has now confirmed that Lego have issued a cease and desist to the Utah-based company.
Ms Watts tweeted: ‘I tweeted about this gun meant to look like a toy last week and our organization reached out to Lego.