Lifestyle toy and accessory shop Hako has halted the sale of a knife at some of its outlets following a complaint from a parent.

The mother had put up a Facebook post explaining why she was alarmed that her 12-year-old son had managed to purchase a bona fide karambit weapon without checks from Hako @ Tampines 1.

To address the mother's concern, Hako issued its own response on Sept. 21:

Sought police advice

In it, they clarified that the karambit merchant had contacted the Singapore police to ensure the product could be sold legally before it was displayed for sale.

According to the post, the police responded: "We do not prohibit the importation of such knives. However it is the responsibility of individual who is in possession of this knife to ensure it is for lawful purpose."

Took immediate response

The first response Hako took to address the parent's concern was to request the karambit merchant to put up a note stating items should not be sold to minors aged 14 and below.

However, Hako adopted a more conservative stance by subsequently asking the merchant to cease the sale of the karambit in the Bedok Mall and Tampines 1 shops.

Hako also clarified the price of the karambit is S$30 and not S$15, as mentioned by the mother in her post.

This suggested the S$30 price tag of the karambit could have deterred younger children from buying it, as they do not have the necessary purchasing power.

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Background to this the issue

Responses to the mother's original post suggest opinions are sharply divided.

On one hand, the mother is right that weapons should not be made easily accessible to young children.

On the other hand, less fancy but equally dangerous items can be bought at other shops that cost much cheaper.

Those arguing along these lines are judging the intent of the purchase more than the ease of access as the main problem.

A karambit is a curved knife modelled after the traditional Southeast Asian claw-like weapon.

Hako is a consignment shop that rents out lockers to anyone to sell authentic and licensed products that are not banned for sale in Singapore, according to the shop's description on the Tampines 1 mall website.

It also said certain items that require individual outlet license with the relevant authority for the product to be sold, are allowed for sale as long as the merchant had obtained the license.

The products it carry include the latest phone accessories, stationery, watches, and handmade ornaments.