Bomb vest controversy
Residents stir over Facebook sale of suicide bomber costume
SOME Toowoomba residents are riled up after someone attempted to sell a suicide bomb vest costume in a community Facebook group.
The post made on Tuesday afternoon stated: “hand-made for a good guy/bad guy dressup party. Made for a teenager. Would anyone be interested?”.
Dozens of users from the Toowoomba’s Buy, Swap and Sell Facebook group were quick to chime in, with a number of them raising concerns.
A young boy is depicted wearing the costume in the image accompanying the post.
“Surely you are not serious,” one user commented.
“I’ll pass on that one, I’d rather not have my kid accidentally shot by police,” another commented.
The post has since been taken
‘‘ I’LL PASS ON THAT ONE, I’D RATHER NOT HAVE MY KID ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY POLICE. FACEBOOK USER
down but screenshots sent to The Chronicle revealed some users were not taking the issue too seriously before the page’s admins stepped in.
Some even made light of the attempted online sale in the group.
“People are such sooks you can buy similar ones at the cheap shops,” one user added.
“Don’t forget to keep it on when you walk into the bank,” another joked.
One concerned resident who contacted The Chronicle said the decision to sell the costume in the current climate was not a wise one.
“Given the post 9/11 and terrorism sensitive environment we live in, not only advertising but contemplating making such such a prop for sale whether in jest or otherwise - is both irresponsible and stupid,” George Helon said.
“Police, and indeed a majority of the public, would not see the funny side of it.”