An artist who hoped to place a vending machine containing fake guns near his former school has been forced to scrap the project, warned of arrest by police and sparked widespread outrage.

But Ben Turnbull, who grew up close to and went to Orleans Park School, in Twickenham, insists his art series, aimed at highlighting how “casual” and “blasé” children’s attitudes to gun culture have become, remains “a good project with a good cause”.

Mr Turnbull’s view is not shared by everyone though, as figureheads across Richmond reacted furiously to the idea, which would have seen two bubblegum-esque machines offering replica Berettas and Magnums put close to Orleans, in Richmond Road, and Shene School, in Park Avenue - with additional installations in Fulham and Putney. They are fitted with cameras to catch the reaction of youngsters who see the guns on display.

Your Local Guardian: The "bubblegun" machine that caused controversy
The controversial "bubblegun" machine

The headteachers at both schools said they would never give permission for such a project, Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer and her parliamentary rival Zac Goldsmith condemned it and Richmond Council’s cabinet member for communities, Councillor David Williams, described the plan as “appalling”.

On Wednesday, Mr Turnbull told the Richmond and Twickenham Times: “No one wanted to look at the machine, they heard the word gun and built a brick wall.

“Sure it was shocking but sometimes art can be.

“If people are just going to be blinkered that’s up to them.

“I’m not painting kittens here, this is just what’s going on – it’s an expression of what’s actually happening.”

The 35-year-old described how he was able to buy 20 replica Berettas in one shop in a queue of kids also buying fake firearms. He added police officers at Twickenham “said it would be fine but then the higher up it went the more trouble it caused”.

Superintendent Jim Davis, from Richmond police, said: “If Mr Turnbull had wanted to continue to display his ‘bubblegun’ machine then he might have been able to do so, but he was warned that he would face the strong possibility of being arrested on suspicion of committing criminal offences and may subsequently face charges.”

Headteacher at Shene, Lesley Kirby, said: “I think it’s distasteful and is potentially getting children to think about guns as normal and that’s completely wrong.”

Coun Williams added: “The last thing we need is someone scaring children or inciting them where there is no need to.

“Children need to understand that in the wrong hands guns are lethal, they should not be put up for sale like sweets and toys.

“I condemn his complete lack of understanding of the responsible young people of Richmond.”

Mr Turnbull’s art installation, entitled Kids Have Everything These Days, will now be shown at the Eleven Fine Art gallery in Victoria from October 21 as part of exhibition I Don't Like Mondays.

His past projects have included work based around America’s Columbine and Virginia Tech school shootings.

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