VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A pop-up Halloween store chain has been accused of being tone-deaf in light of recent school shootings across the U.S. after showcasing a bullet belt in a section apparently marketed to teens.
Among Spirit Halloween’s selection of costumes, often organized by themes or styles, some customers found what they described as a “prep school” display that included a “bullet belt.”
NewsNation affiliate WAVY visited two Spirit Halloween locations in Virginia Beach and found that display at both. The bullet belt was seen next to spiked bracelets and a “plaid schoolgirl tie.” On Spirit Halloween’s website, WAVY also found a gold bullet belt and a punk rock bullet belt.
Some shoppers are concerned with how the message of having the product in its stores comes across to younger children, and one called it unacceptable.
“I don’t like it,” one shopper told WAVY. “I have three children that go to school, and I just heard about the shooting that just happened. And it’s scary, even though it’s a costume. Regardless, that’s just not [it]. They shouldn’t be making fun of these shootings and guns and stuff. It is a big deal.”
Earlier this month, four people were killed and nine others injured after a shooting at a Georgia high school. Since then, schools across the country have faced a slew of shooting hoaxes.
At one store, the plaid schoolgirl tie is right next to what is labeled as a bullet belt. As a mother, Vanessa said she would never buy the belt for her kids.
“I know people always say everyone’s so sensitive, but it’s really not, because a lot of children are dying because of the school shootings. And you’re putting it where the school-like outfits are at,” she said. “Like, that’s just wild to me.”
Some say the display is disturbing and distasteful.
“We became desensitized,” said Let Our Voice Empower Executive Director Adrian Cook. “We have glorified [gun violence] in some sense, and now we call the kids crazy, whose brains’ haven’t fully developed yet, and they are just doing what they see. These are learned behaviors.”
When reached for comment, Spirit Halloween said the item was intended to be “a punk rock accessory.”
“It was not our intention for this product or its placement in the store to be viewed in any way other than a punk rock accessory,” the statement, shared with WAVY, read. “We appreciate you bringing this to our attention.”
Spirit Halloween did not say how it will handle the display or if it will be moved.
