Business Notes TOYS

Play guns are a $200 million-a-year market for U.S. toymakers, with about 75% ( of sales devoted to fake military weapons, including look-alike Uzi machine guns and M-16s. Those toys can turn deadly for their wielders, whether they are used by holdup artists who may draw defensive fire from police or robbery victims, or by innocent youngsters whose intent is mistaken by police.

Daisy Manufacturing, the leading maker of toy military guns, will now add bright orange markings to its fake firearms to reduce such risks. So far, though, police take little comfort from the plan. One fear: crooks will paint similar markings on real guns, leading officers to hesitate, and risk injury or death, before firing.