Mother Petitions To Have Breaking Bad Dolls Banned From Toys 'R' Us
A mother from Florida has created a petition to ban Breaking Bad figurines from the shelves of Toys “R” Us.
Breaking Bad is a television show following the life of chemistry teacher Walter White, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. When White finds out that he has terminal cancer he teams up with former student Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, to cook and sell meth in order to support his family. The show has won multiple Emmys but is known for its violence.
Sony Pictures Television partnered with the mega toy store to release a collection of action figures based on the main characters of the show. The Walter White figurines come with a variety of accessories including a gun, a duffle of cash, and a bag of meth. The figurines based off Jesse Pinkman include a Hazmat protective suit and adjoining gas mask.
Mother Susan Schrivjer started the petition to ban the figurines on Change.org. The petition, called “Remove Breaking Bad Dolls From Their Shelves,” earned over 1,000 signatures within the first week and has now reached more than 3,300. Schrivjer wrote on the description of the petition, “their decision to sell a Breaking Bad doll, complete with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth, alongside children’s toys is a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values.”
A spokesman from Toys “R” Us stated to NBC News, "The product packaging clearly notes that the items are intended for ages 15 and up. The toys are located in the adult action figure area of our stores."
Parents have taken to Facebook outraged that Toys “R” Us would even agree to sell the dolls to children. One parent stated on Facebook, “Nothing says toys for kids like an action figure with a bag of crystal meth. I can’t wait for my 15 year to grow up like that.” The parents feel that even the labeled age of fifteen years is too young to expose their teenagers to drug dealing and crystal meth.
Schrivjer went on in the petition to say, “While the show may be compelling viewing for adults, its violent content and celebration of the drug trade make this collection unsuitable to be sold alongside Barbie dolls and Disney characters.”
No conclusion has been made at this time from Toys “R” Us about banning the toys.
