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.”
Nexstar’s 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.”