The last image Fred Rogers wants children to see is a picture of himself toting a pistol.

So Mr. Rogers, the host of ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,'' the PBS children's program, is suing a novelty store chain based in Texas to stop it from selling T-shirts that display him with his customary sweater and smile -- and a silver handgun.

Instead of his usual saying, ''Won't you be my neighbor?'' the T-shirt has Mr. Rogers, 70, saying, ''Welcome to my hood.''

''It's bad for the kids,'' said Mr. Rogers's lawyer, Thomas C. Wettach said of the lawsuit, which was filed this week. ''It's sick humor.''

Gerald Szczepanski, president of Gadzooks, the 280-store chain that is selling the shirts, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.