How to feel about toy weapons?
18.8.2023
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
The Gel Blaster shoots small balls made of gel. This cross between water pistol and paintball bears certain risks. Testing the product got me in an ethical conundrum.
As a kid, I enjoyed playing with weapons. Every one of my carnival costumes included a toy gun, which, of course, went on to be used all year round. Shots were fired in my imagination and enhanced with some sound effects I made. At most, I’d shoot handmade arrows from my bow.
Now that I’m a grown-up, I’m a bit more critical about this topic. After all, I now know that war’s never fun and shouldn’t be glorified. Not to mention the tragedies caused by people with guns even in times of peace.
Toy guns are fascinating – but there are limits
However, when it comes to toy guns or shooter games, I get the appeal they can have on (mostly male) children and adolescents. I’m also aware that banning them would only fuel that appeal.
But speaking as a dad, I don’t think adults need to encourage this type of fun.
I’ve recently been mulling over the subject quite intensely. Why? Because a manufacturer sent me the latest thing toy weaponry has to offer and a trend in the US. Actually, the Gel Blaster Surge isn’t aimed at children at all, but intended for people aged 14 or over. But as with all recommendations: the likelihood of younger siblings getting their hands on the blaster is probably pretty high.
The blaster’s charged via Micro-USB and shoots small gel balls. I’d only ever seen these used for decorative purposes. In their original size, they’re only as big as a pin. But when you pop them in water, they grow to the size of a marble and have a slightly gelatinous consistency. A bit like the bubbles in a bubble tea.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Technology-wise, the Gel Blaster delivers. The screw-on magazine can hold 800 shots. There’s a switch that let’s you choose between single shots or continuous fire. The projectiles fly up to 20 metres no problem. And with precision, I might add.
The gel balls aren’t as harmless as you might think
The gel balls burst on impact and then dissolve. According to the manufacturer, they’re non-toxic, fully decomposable and don’t stain. I can confirm that they leave a small, wet mark that soon disappears.
For a brief moment, my childlike fascination is sparked when I fire my first shots at a tree. But my grin is wiped off my face as soon as my daughter aims at my legs. Fired from three metres away, the shots have a nasty sting to them. The sensation is described quite well on the manufacturer’s website: «it feels like getting hit with a rubber band – a quick, minor sting.»
Source: Lorenz Keller
Nothing serious, of course. Unless you’ve set your gun to full-auto and are blasting out two gel pellets per second. This would somewhat dampen the fun if shot at bare skin, I imagine. So for good reason, the manufacturer includes protective goggles. The balls have so much force that a fun game can quickly go south.
Too many safety flaws
Apart from very basic concerns, the Gel Blaster has some additional weak points when it comes to safety. The switch isn’t lockable, which means the blaster could unintentionally be set ready to fire – even to fully automatic. This is surprising, as a proper lock function is elemental.
At least the manufacturer’s got things right by offering the possibility to use a second barrel with less firing speed. However, the barrel with high firing speed is preinstalled. And that’s just wrong. How seriously the manufacturer takes safety is reflected in the action photos on their website: safety goggles are only worn in two out of six pictures.
Source: Lorenz Keller
No doubt, the Gel Blaster isn’t a mere technically advanced water pistol, but is more on the paintball side of the spectrum. But while paintball shooters and soft-air weapons fall under the Weapons Act and are therefore only allowed to be used by people aged 18+, the Gel Blaster has an age recommendation of 14+.
Before significantly younger children start shooting at each other with these not entirely harmless gel pellets, sensible adults should therefore simply refrain from buying this type of toy weapon.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Too much weapon, not enough fun
I think the Gel Blaster’s taken a step in the wrong direction. It’s faster, more dangerous, cooler and more weapon-like than, say, a water pistol. I’m not a fan, but hey, that doesn’t mean that other people can’t be. However, you should definitely take the age recommendation seriously.
Personally, I’d always go for a water pistol to satisfy an urge to shoot. Or I’d live it out at a special event under expert supervision and with protective clothing in a paintball arena. That type of location not only offers duels with colourful balls but also shootouts with projectile-less laser guns or battles with gel blasters.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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