Child psychiatrist warns about Zuru X Shot messaging | cbs8.com

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SAN DIEGO — A new children's toy gun on the market is raising concerns, not solely because of the product itself, but due to the wording on its packaging.

A CBS 8 viewer contacted us after visiting a Sam's Club off College Grove.

"This was marketed toward children, yet it focuses on rage, mania, and violence, which I found inappropriate," said Alex Long.

The Zuru X Shot features phrases like "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" on the box.

"It essentially promotes losing control while using this weapon. I believe this product has crossed a line," Long added.

As a retired teacher, he feels the manufacturer and retailer have failed to consider the current political climate and the prevalence of school shootings. While he isn’t completely against toy guns, the wording stood out to him during his shopping trip.

"I don’t think this is good for our young people," he stated.

With firearms now the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., we sought insight from Child Psychiatrist Dr. Willough Jenkins.

"Toys like this come across as insensitive," she said.

Dr. Jenkins oversees the Psychiatric Emergency Room at Rady Children's Hospital, where they see 10 to 20 children daily suffering from anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She believes the language on the box exacerbates the stigma surrounding mental health.

"There is a harmful myth that people with mental health issues are more violent, which is not true. The presence of these words on a toy semi-automatic weapon is incredibly offensive and problematic," Dr. Jenkins said.

The Zuru X Shot is marketed for children aged eight and older. The back of the box notes that the product could be mistaken for an actual firearm and warns that brandishing or displaying it in public may be a crime. Dr. Jenkins also pointed out that children may not always differentiate between real and toy guns.

"Research shows that children who play with toy guns are more likely to pick up a real gun," she said.

We reached out to the toy maker Zuru for comment but have not yet received a response.