Dangerous mini crossbows pulled from TradeMe

Mini crossbows with the ability to fire nails and needles have been pulled from Trademe following concerns about the danger they pose to children.

The "toothpick crossbow" is the latest must-have toy in China but has already been banned by police in some parts of the country after a schoolboy boy was left with permanent damage to his eyesight after a classmate fired one at him.

Anxious kiwi mother Stephenie Wong, who found the toy being sold on TradeMe, has today called for them to be banned in New Zealand, fearing someone will be injured here.

"It is not a toy, it is a weapon potentially," Wong said in a message to the Herald.
"Its power is high . . . can be easily carried around, it is so dangerous."

The product was being advertised for $20 with free shipping on TradeMe.

"This mini-crossbow pistol is perfect for target practice and small-game hunting," the seller wrote.

"Super fast and easy, it is a blast when shooting."

The crossbows were being listed as an R18 item and came with a warning that it requires adult supervision when shooting.

Tonight, following Wong's concerns all listings have been removed from Trademe.

The Herald has made a request to speak with the seller.

Last week, a 10-year-old boy from Xinjiang, China, suffered permanent damage to his eyesight after a classmate shot a toothpick into his eye.

The toothpick landed in his right eye and damaged his cornea, the Daily Mail reported.

Doctors said his vision could not be fully restored even if treatment was effective.

The boy's mother told Guancha.cn that a classmate playing with a toothpick crossbow fired an object straight into her son's eyes.

Although the crossbows were originally intended for shooting toothpicks, they can also fire out needles and nails.

Shanghai Daily reported that Chinese shop owners had been selling out of the mini crossbows and were struggling to meet demand.

Other Chinese media reported the handheld toys could fire at a distance of nearly 20 metres.

Police in Chengdu have reportedly stopped sales of the products, and many in China are calling for the ban to extend nationwide.