Burris marched in with his cap gun in one hand and a Popsicle in the other, wearing his short pants and nothing else, looking like a little stick man.

NEWYORKER: Fiction

Apparently in a study done by the Deafness Research UK in conjunction with Dr. Brad Backus of University College London, 14 out of 15 toys tested produced noise levels above the recommended safety limit when held close to the ear. 8 of the 15 were just fine during normal use, but the three worst offenders -- a machine gun, a tommy gun and a cap gun -- are on the "avoid" list.

ENGADGET: Christmas toy noises are/aren't dangerous

He wore his belt gun which was a big long dragoon pistol, the cap-and-ball kind that was old-fashioned even at that time.

NPR: Excerpt: 'True Grit'