Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lawn Darts. We Hardly Knew Ye. Banned In The US.




Lawn Darts. How we miss thee.

According to this lawn darts website I found, Lawn Darts were banned on Dec 19, 1988. That's right before Christmas! I wonder how many kids were disappointed that year? After the government raided homes and confiscated all of the lawn darts I bet some parents made fake lawn darts out of whatever resources were available in 1988.

But the kids probably weren't fooled. Opening their Lawn "Darz" and pulling out homemade, dull projectiles.

I bet some were just colored paper plates taped to butter knives. What I rip off.
I'm surprised there wasn't an kid uprising. Maybe there was but it wasn't reported.

I remember playing lawn darts when I was a kid. And I also remember kids throwing them at one another. Pretty dangerous if you think about it. But I never knew anyone that got injured by one.

Sounds kind of fishy to me.

23 comments:

Dr Zibbs said...

..and if you have REAL picture of someone getting injured by a lawn dart, please share..

Kristen said...

I think we have a set that we smuggled from my late grandparent's estate. The box and pieces were in near mint condition, proving they were a terribly boring toy that no one actually played with. The ban was a merciful end.

Dr Zibbs said...

Kirsten - you should plan lawn darts game!

Or course it would have to be in the middle of the night and way back in the woods so the fuzz doesn't hear us.

Kristen said...

I like the idea of a banned toys party. Lawn darts and moonshine for the grown ups. Aquadots and Bratz dolls for the children. And Candy cigarettes and pop rocks with coke for all? (not banned, but should be!)

Verdant Earl said...

Couldn't find a pic, but according to a number of websites claim that there have been around 7,000 emergency room visits and 3 deaths attributed to Jarts.

Fun!

Pop and Ice said...

My hubby found a box of lawn darts at an antique store while we were on vacation last summer. He promptly snapped them up and they were a big hit when he went summer camping. No injuries, either!

Kristen said...

Pop and Ice and I are both going to have to leave town and lay low for awhile. The FBI is probably pulling into my driveway as I type this...

Dr Zibbs said...

Kristen - Me likey.

Earl - I believe you. It's got to be some really high number like that. It was like throwing knives!

Pop and Ice - To be safe, you might want to wear astronaut suits next time.

Lostinspace said...

Sad about lawn darts. I think heavy lobbying by the quoits industry was responsible.

MJenks said...

My friend, Big Willy, threw a lawn dart at his brother. Hit him in the head. The tip went up under his scalp. Apparently, it bled pretty well, scored his skull, but no permanent damage aside from a neat scar.

WendyB said...

Damn, I was just about to start a league.

Dr Zibbs said...

MJenks - I bet you anything he has a bald spot in that area now.

Mr. Condescending said...

I played jarts every summer at my grandparents came. I'm sure they are still there too, and when he croaks I'm gonna take them!

JenJen said...

Mr C that comment looks like you were struck in the head with a Jart one too many times.

Dr Zibbs said...

Mr C - Very sentimental.

JenJen - He was.

Scope said...

No lie - I have seen a lawn darts purchase in 2010.

Resale shop.

Gwen said...

Jarts? Pffft! Jarts were for sissies. We shot each other in the ass with bb guns.

Dr Zibbs said...

Scope - you need to make a citizen's arrest!

Gwen - My "friend" one time shot me in the lip with a BB gun. On purpose.

Moooooog35 said...

Next thing you know they'll make gluing tacks to the end of those Nerf darts illegal, too.

Dr Zibbs said...

Moog that's just dumb (sketches prototype)

Unknown said...

My bro took a lawn dart to the eye when we were kids. THey were banned shortly after that. haha Those things really pick up in the wind. :P

Unknown said...

Americans are so funny. You guys can't own lawn darts, but you can walk around with a .45mm handgun and buy bullets for it at Walmart.

Hans Dannik said...

.45 mm? That's pretty small. Do you need a magnifying glass to see the bullets?