What came first? The Ban of the AK47 or the egg?
The AK47. Kinder eggs have been banned since 1997, AK47's were banned in 1994.
But unlike the ban being lifted on AK47's in 2004, Kinder eggs, are still banned in the US.
A news story last year about a woman who had a Kinder egg confiscated, was threatened with a $300 dollar fine, and later received a 7 page letter in regards to the fate of said Kinder egg.
This happens a lot. People get "detained"at the border for having them......
It has had me pondering......
The story of the egg:
While we realize the Kinder Surprise eggs, made by Italy's Ferrero Group, are popular worldwide and considered a collector's item by some, we want to issue a reminder that the Surprise eggs have been banned in the United States since 1997, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that the toys could pose a choking hazard to children under 3. (That same year, Nestle voluntarily withdrew a similar product, Nestle Magic.)The ban was just reaffirmed by the FDA.
The story of the AK47:
The 1989 Semi-Automatic Rifle Import Ban (18 USC 925(d)(3)) and the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban specifically banned the AK-47 by name, and many other such weapons (including obvious clones of AK-47's) manufactured after 1994 had to be modified to the letter of the law (removal of barrel threading, bayonet lug and folding stock). This ban expired on September 13, 2004, as part of the law's sunset provision, making all domestically produced semi-automatic AK-47s legal. The import of AK pattern rifles with certain features (ie. WASR rifles legally are imported with the low capacity single stack magazine) is still banned. However, certain states such as California, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts have specific restrictions which effectively ban new purchases of many semi-automatic rifles, with some mentioning AK-pattern firearms by name.
The Egg:
The toy which is enclosed in a plastic container inside the egg, may be a choking hazard to an unsupervised toddler.
The AK47:
Can kill many people at once, and may be found in US homes with unsupervised toddlers.
The Egg:
Is traded freely between most countries except the US, and is a choc-lately treat with a really cool toy inside.
The AK47:
Is banned in most countries except the US, because it is a dangerous firearm capable of killing many people at one time, at any time.
The egg:
Has reportedly caused several choking deaths worldwide which although tragic, have been few over many years and millions of eggs. The wrappers contain warnings in many languages, and the toys and the plastic capsules have been altered over the years to be more safe.
The AK47:
A weapon that has become the icon of the 21st century. Invented in 1947
it was named after its inventor, the Soviet icon Kalashankov. AK-47 stands for Automatic Kalashankove 47. AK-47 is the lord of war, it has caused most deaths that a single weapon system produced ever. With over 75 million built worldwide, the AK-47 is a firearms legend that has probably inflicted more lethal results than any other single weapon system ever produced. The AK-47 was not only easy to produce and
relatively cheap, is also proved remarkably easy to maintain and virtually immune to conditions that could easily take out other guns. Accuracy is average, but the Kalashnikov compensates for this with its ability to unleash a lethal wall of lead. AK-47 and M16 came face to face in Vietnam war and AK-47 proved its supremacy. Even after almost 60 years,it could be heard spitting out shells in every corner of the
world.
Here in Canada we do ban other things besides guns, for far more than a perceived risk.....Like Baby walkers..... They are not safe, even supervised. Lots of people will tell you that their kids used them and turnedout just fine, but the statistics are alarming and very real.
They are still legal in the US:
Back in 1994, when baby walkers were still extremely popular in the United States, the Consumer Products Safety Commission declared that baby walkers were responsible for more injuries than any other children’s product. The types of injuries included head injuries, broken bones, broken teeth, burns, entrapment of fingers and even amputations or death.
Walkers allow mobility beyond a baby’s natural capability, and faster than a parent’s reaction time. Most of the injuries involve falls down stairs, but injuries can also come, for instance, from allowing reach to hot, heavy or poisonous objects. Today’s walkers are safer, but they are still hazardous – and of no benefit to the baby.
Canada banned baby walkers in 2004. Possession of a baby walker can lead to fines up to $100,000 or six months in jail. But in some countries, more than 75 percent of babies still use walkers– and the injuries continue.
They are less popular, but still for sale. Along with the safer types (sans wheels) which are available in Canada too.
Will be stopped at the Canadian border:
- Baby walkers;
- Infant self-feeding devices - structural devices to position feeding bottles, which allow babies to feed themselves while unattended;
- Yoyo balls - pose a risk of strangulation;
- Balloon blowing kits - that contain a poisonous organic solvent;
- Re-light candles - candles that re-light spontaneously once extinguished;
- Jequirity beans - including items containing these poisonous beans; and,
- Lawn darts with elongated tips.
Cuban cigars are banned in the US. Embargo.They get taken away and burned en masse..
My own kids, LOVE kinder eggs, especially the ones where you have to put the toy together. The plastic container inside the egg that contains the toy is difficult to open without help.
What is my point here?
Just seemed kinda kooky. To me anyway.
First posted in 2011 a t my place. A couple links have been added