Should Lawn Jarts Be Illegal? [Poll]

Lawn Jarts is a summertime game which has been disappearing from backyards across the country.

It is illegal to sell Lawn Jarts in the United States...but should it be?

On December 19, 1988 the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the sale of lawn jarts/darts in the United States.  In a statement issued in 1997, CPSC.gov said:

After a recent serious injury caused by a lawn dart, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reissued its warning that lawn darts are banned and should be destroyed.  Pointed lawn darts, intended for use in an outdoor game, have been responsible for the deaths of three children. The most recent injury occurred last week in Elkhart, Ind., when a 7-year-old boy suffered a brain injury after a lawn dart pierced his skull. "CPSC banned lawn darts in 1988, but some of these dangerous products may still be in garages, basements, or second-hand stores," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Parents should destroy these banned lawn darts immediately."

There's no doubt that children and metal-tipped lawn jarts are a dangerous combination. Mentalfloss.com shares some of the statistics which led to the lawn jart ban:

Over a period of eight years, lawn darts had sent 6,100 people to the emergency room. 81% of those cases involved children 15 or younger, and half of those were 10 or younger. The majority of injuries were to the head, face, eyes or ears, and many had led to permanent injury or disability.

Lawn jarts are dangerous for kids.  Trampolines are dangerous too.  Cbsnews.com reports:

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends avoiding recreational trampoline use entirely. If a child or teen still wants a trampoline in their lives, the academy says using a structured sports training program with appropriate supervision, coaching and safety measures already in place. If a family still wants a trampoline at home, check with your insurance provider to make sure it covers trampoline-related injury claims.

Should trampolines be illegal too?

Instead of banning lawn jarts, why not warn of the danger and encourage owners to use the game responsibly? Similar to how trampolines are used.

What do you think?

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