The law makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm unless such firearm contains or has affixed to it a marking approved by the Secretary of Commerce. The approved marking is a blaze orange plug inserted in the barrel. A technical evaluation of the effectiveness of such marking systems in police combat situations is scheduled for completion in August 1989. This legislation will have implications not only for police, but also for toy manufacturers and the public. Ideas will be needed to determine how to conduct this evaluation and determine how effective this new legislation is. Possible options for evaluations include the recognizability of marking under differing light conditions, how easily marking systems could be disguised or otherwise defeated, and previous experience with toy gun incidents both in the United States and in countries that already have similar laws.