ROME, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI has lent his support to a project that would be oriented toward taking toy guns out of the hands of Italian children.Despite having the support of the Roman Catholic leader and having already received nearly 6,200 toy guns from children, the Italian project has come under criticism by many in the nation who view it as unnecessary, Italy's ANSA news agency said.
"That's nonsense," businessman and father-of-one Francesco Fiermonte told ANSA of the plan. "Playing with guns helps kids express natural aggression. It doesn't do any harm at all.""As long as these make-believe gun battles happen in a healthy family environment, that's no problem. It can even help kids come to terms with the existence of violence," said Elisabetta Scala, the head of an area parents' association.
Yet ANSA said that in addition to the pope's blessing, the "Different Game" initiative has already garnered support from many other church officials, Italy's Education Ministry and several Italian cities.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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