Another aspect of my parenting is the ban of toy guns. This ban has no exceptions whatsoever—even sticks that accidently resemble a pistol are not permitted inside the apartment. That said, Let's turn to Iraq. The Ministry of Health there is currently pushing for a ban of toy guns in the markets....

(NYT) The Ministry of Health is campaigning to ban the sale of guns in Iraq. Toy guns, that is.

The dangers of toy air pistols became evident to Mustafa after he was hit in the eye by plastic pellet.
Baghdad’s toy markets are stocked with plastic weapons in all prices and sizes: toy guns, tanks, knives, uniforms, even silencers. In a country where guns and military gear are heartbreakingly prevalent, basic training begins early.

“It’s the responsibility of the community to get rid of these toys,” said Dr. Emad Abdulrazaq, national adviser for mental health at the ministry. “They make it easier for a child to make the next step to real violence, because every day he enjoys guns.”

The Ministry of Health in that sad but slowly recovering country should go much further this, it should attempt to extend this ban beyond the doors of private homes and, room by room, unroot this foul play.