“Breaking Bad’s” Walter White may have cleverly dodged authorities during his career as a drug kingpin, but his action figure hasn’t dodged the wrath of a Florida mother.
Susan Schrivjer, a mother from Fort Myers, launched a petition in early October to have White — and other “Breaking Bad” action figures — removed from Toys R Us. As of Monday morning, the Change.org request has received more than 2,000 signatures.
In the petition, Schrivjer — who wrote the appeal under the name “Susan Myers” — gets right to the point.
“Toys R Us is well known around the world for their vast selection of toys for children of all ages,” she wrote. “However 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.”
In an interview with CNN affiliate WFTX of Fort Myers, Schrivjer expanded on her thoughts.
“Kids mimic their action figures, if you will,” she told the station. “Do you want your child in an orange jumpsuit?”
Signers to her petition agree.
“It’s sick that a company would design kids toys that glorify the making of meth. It’s just as sick to sell them,” wrote Jaime Keasler.
“While I support free enterprise and there may be a market for these figures, this is a children’s toy store,” said Monica Tessmer. “It shouldn’t even be a question that this is inappropriate. Not a smart move Toy r Us.”
Amber Johnson is the Founder of Mile High Mamas, an informational blog for parents. She’s concerned about the Breaking Bad action figures being sold at stores she takes her kids. “So, it’s suddenly like, “oh mom, look, Thomas the Train. Oh mom look, what’s this Walter guy?”
Johnson said it’s not that the collectibles don’t belong in the marketplace, she said they just don’t belong at Toys R Us. “Just don’t make it out there front and center for kids to see,” Johnson said. “If this is going to be on the market, it belongs in an adult novelty store.”
Toys R Us has not responded to our requests for a statement, however, when Fox 31 Denver tried to find the items Monday evening, a clerk said the action figures have been pulled from store shelves.
The action figures include White — the chemistry teacher turned meth lord — and his assistant, Jesse Pinkman, in hazmat suits, as well as White as his gun-toting alter ego, Heisenberg.
It’s not “Breaking Bad” itself, Schrivjer hastens to add. She says she was a fan of the show.
“I thought the show was great,” she said. “It was riveting.”
But she draws the line at seeing the characters in Toys R Us. Her goal? “Just to get those taken off the shelf and put them in an appropriate store.”
“Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston, who played White, responded jokingly to Schrivjer’s movement.
” ‘Florida mom petitions against Toys ‘R Us over Breaking Bad action figures.’ I’m so mad, I’m burning my Florida Mom action figure in protest,” he tweeted.
Toys R Us has not responded to our requests for a statement, however, when FOX31 Denver tried to find the items Monday evening, a clerk said the action figures have been pulled from store shelves.