A mother has drawn attention to the true horror of American gun laws but highlighting the fact that princess themed bulletproof backpacks are on sale in the USA.
In the wake of the Dayton and El Paso shootings, in which at least 30 people were tragically killed, Mandana Dayani posted a picture of a Disney themed backpack with a message about her shock.
Among the thousands calling out for gun reform, US activist and media personality Mandana Dayani couldn't help but speak out after coming across the sinister item while shopping for her children.
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Sharing a picture of the shield on her Instagram, she wrote: "This completely shattered me.
"This is the world we have created for our children. As I shop back to school items for my 5 year old daughter, to know that our children will have active shooter drills, metal detectors and now bulletproof backpacks is NOT OK."
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She signed off her powerful message by writing: "We do not have to live like this. No other civilized country lives like this. This. Must. End."
And her followers agreed, with one writing: "A living breathing nightmare. The conversations I have had to have w my girls on this topic make me sick to my stomach.(sic)".
While another added: "Not ok and never will be ok".
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The gun shield was decorated with princesses who share a likeness to Disney's famous characters, such as Princess Jasmine, Belle and Cinderella. There is no indication Disney created the product.
Designed by retailer Tuffy Packs, the shield can "fit into any children's backpack" and contains 24 layers of the protective material Twaron, which is heat resistant and made up of strong synthetic fibres.
It isn't the only so-called 'kid friendly' design, as the website also offers an action hero decoration, both coming in at $129.99.
As well as shopping for them on the official Tuffy Packs website, parents can also buy the shields on Amazon.
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Plus, there are several others brands such as BulletBlocker and Guard Dog Security selling similar products, while even US mega-stores such as Macy's KMart and Bed, Bath and Beyond are following suit.
As tragic as it is, it's little wonder the backpack shields are hitting shelves, there have already been over 200 mass shootings in the US this year - and we're only eight months in.
The backpacks also come as school shootings are as big a fear as ever.
In fact, the shootings are so prolific that children from Columbine High School have even launched a campaign called #MyLastShot, in which pupils include a picture on their phones standing up for causes they believe in, which they want publicised should their lives tragically end as a result of gun violence.
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With the Santa Fe High School shooting and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting still fresh on people's minds after last year, can we blame them for wanting to protect their kids?
Devastatingly, ten died in the Santa Fe shooting, while 13 were injured. Meanwhile the Stoneman shooting saw as many as 17 staff and pupils pass away - some of whom were as young as 14 years old.
While there has been mass uproar from gun control activists insisting that something must change, President Donald Trump failed to address the urging of lobbyers this weekend after Dayton and El Paso's latest tragedies.
He stated instead that America needs to enforce stronger background checks and immigration control to answer their shooting crisis.
Everybody knows the situation in America is tragic, but perhaps nothing says it better than a gun shield for children.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Life News
