Since 2009, there have been 288 school shootings in the U.S.
And this year alone, there has so far been more than 20 school shootings, according to stats from CNN.
These tragic incidents have called for gun reform laws across the country, and led to increased awareness about the easy access of guns in the hands of youth.
After all this, we can agree that gun violence is not a joking matter, and pranks of this nature will be taken seriously by law enforcement.
But it seems like some children didn't get the memo...
Police are urging parents to keep a watchful eye out for a popular pistol phone case that's being sold online.
"As a police officer......please, please do not buy this or allow your children to have this new phone case! Hell, tell everyone you know, not just your kids!!" Aaron P. Sheehan wrote in a viral Facebook post that has been shared more than 170,000 times.
At first glance, you would never know that this gun is just a phone case, especially when it's tucked in the pocket. They come in all different colors, but the black one looks the most realistic.
The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff's Association in California also shared a warning about this "novelty gun" cell phone case.
The sheriff's office warns that this could create "unwanted scrutiny from law enforcement for whoever uses it."
They explain in the post that regular citizens may see the case and call 911, and law enforcement officers will be prepared as if they've received a real gun call.
"At minimum, someone will be proned out on the ground until the [police] can secure the "Phone case" or someone could potentially get shot depending on their actions when [police] respond."
This isn't the first time a phone case like this has gotten unwanted attention...
A student in DeLand, Florida was arrested earlier this year after bringing a similar phone case to school.
According to Fox 35, the officers were forced to issue a lock down before charging the student with disrupting the school function.
Back in 2015, police officers called for a ban on these cheap iPhone gun cases. People went as far as to add a Russian Roulette app on their phone to make it even more realistic.
"Please folks -- this cell phone case is not a cool product or a good idea," the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in South Jersey said on its Facebook page, according to Metro.
"A police officer's job is hard enough, without having to make a split second decision in the dark of night when someone decides without thinking to pull this out while stopped for a motor vehicle violation."
People on social media are appalled that such a thing even exists...
"So ridiculous that is even made!!" one user wrote, which many agreed to.
"Someone's going to be shot and wonder why! Idiots!" someone commented on Sheehan's viral post.
"Just asking for trouble or death," another user chimed in.
[H/T: WLKY]