Lego has a long-standing policy of avoiding realistic weapons and military equipment that children may recognize from hot spots around the world¹. This means that Lego does not produce guns, tanks, helicopters, or other modern warfare items that are commonly seen in movies, video games, and news. Instead, Lego only offers weapons that are either historical, fantasy, or sci-fi, such as swords, axes, blasters, and lightsabers.
I respect Lego's decision and I understand their reasons. They want to promote a positive and peaceful image of their brand, and they do not want to glorify conflicts and unethical or harmful behavior. They also want to protect children from being exposed to violence and trauma, and to encourage them to play in a safe and fun way.
However, as an adult fan of Lego, I have a different perspective and preference. I do not see Lego as a toy for children only, but as a hobby and a form of art for people of all ages. I do not use Lego to reenact real wars or to promote violence, but to create stories and scenarios that are inspired by fiction, history, or my own imagination. I do not view realistic weapons as symbols of hate or harm, but as tools of expression and customization.
That is why I use third-party weapon accessories for my Lego minifigures. These are products that are made by independent companies or individuals, who are not affiliated with Lego, and who offer a variety of realistic weapon accessories that are compatible with Lego minifigures. Some examples are Tiny Tactical, BrickTactical, and BrickArms.
These products allow me to enhance my Lego creations and to make them more diverse and interesting. I can use them to create scenes from my favorite movies, games, or books, or to invent my own original stories and characters. I can also mix and match them with Lego's own weapons and accessories, to create unique and custom combinations.
I do not think that using these products is wrong or disrespectful to Lego. I am still a loyal and passionate fan of Lego, and I appreciate their quality and innovation. I do not intend to harm their reputation or to infringe their intellectual property. I simply want to have more options and freedom to express myself and to enjoy my hobby.
I believe that Lego is a toy that can be enjoyed by anyone, in any way they want, as long as they do not harm others or themselves. I think that Lego is a toy that can inspire creativity and imagination, and that can bring joy and happiness. I think that Lego is a toy that can be customized and personalized, and that can reflect one's own style and taste.
That is why I use realistic weapon accessories for my Lego minifigures, and that is why I think it is ok to do so.
Picture Credit: Jehan Snyers d'Attenhoven