SANTO DOMINGO – In a decisive move to safeguard public welfare, the Dominican Republic’s National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) has enacted an immediate nationwide prohibition on the commercialization of toy pistols and shotguns utilizing hydrogel pellets. This regulatory action stems from mounting concerns regarding substantial hazards to community safety and health, with minors identified as the most vulnerable demographic.
Health experts have issued stern warnings about the capacity of these recreational items to inflict grave ocular damage, specifically citing risks of retinal detachment, significant inflammation, and permanent vision impairment. Substantiating these concerns, Pro Consumidor Executive Director Eddy Alcántara detailed that projectiles from these devices can induce blunt force trauma leading to irreversible injuries, including eyeball rupture, even when fired at minimal distances.
Concurrent with the ban announcement, authorities have initiated an extensive inspection and surveillance campaign across the national territory. This operation focuses on the removal of these hazardous products from toy retailers and various commercial establishments. Alcántara further emphasized that this measure aligns with international precedent, noting that countries including the United States, Argentina, and Brazil have already implemented similar prohibitions.
The urgency of this intervention was highlighted by recent law enforcement activities during the Three Kings Day celebrations. Police were compelled to intervene and make arrests after groups of adolescents deployed these hydrogel guns in public areas, disrupting order and necessitating the confiscation of the devices. Pro Consumidor has issued a robust advisory to parents and guardians, urging heightened vigilance in toy selection and advocating for enhanced preventive education to foster responsible consumption practices and ensure child protection.