Post by conscript on Jan 30, 2008 18:41:01 GMT -5
www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/METRO01/801290374/1006/rss01
By the sound of it this is targeting the negative side of airsoft with the walmart pistols in public parks and schools, but does anyone know if this can affect those of us who play on private property like a anyone in MIA should?
TAYLOR -- Packing plastic? You could be headed for a very real jail.
If Taylor cops get their way, kids and adults flashing plastic Airsoft guns around town could pay a $500 fine or spend 90 days in jail.
Officials are considering following the lead of a handful of cities nationwide with an ordinance to ban replica or imitation firearms. The popular toys, which cost $5 to $500, are sold to those 18 and older in department stores and even the corner dollar store.
"These guns are inexpensive and look similar to real guns," said Taylor Police Chief Dale Tamsen. Taylor is the latest Metro Detroit community taking steps to regulate use of the plastic, rubber-pellet guns, which federal law requires to have distinctive orange tips.
Detroit, Westland and Dearborn have ordinances limiting toy guns, Taylor officials said.
Taylor City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at its Feb. 5 meeting.
Police began pushing the idea because they said a group of teens in a "shoot-out" with fake handguns panicked holiday shoppers outside Southland Mall in December. Nine police cars responded after several frantic 911 calls. The gun tips were altered with a black marker or removed.
"It caused mass panic. People thought there was a real shoot-out," Tamsen said. "If they turned around and pointed that gun at a cop, it could have easily been mistaken for a weapon."
Tom Vaughan, co-owner of Firing Line in Westland, said his store sells the plastic guns as training aids, mainly to police officers.
"Most laws are made for only those few who may break them. Most of us know what's right and wrong," he said.
The city's proposal is broad, covering replica firearms like pistols, revolvers, shotguns, machine guns or hobby models and says anyone who carries, aims or points the firearm in a manner to "frighten, threaten, harass, panic or annoy" would be in violation of the measure.
Alicia Carpenter, 26, owns three of the toy weapons. She bought them about a month ago at a dollar store near Eureka and Inkster for less than $20. A self-described "big kid," the Taylor woman said she enjoys firing the guns with her boyfriend but acknowledged she worries that youngsters have the guns.
Taylor Mayor Cameron Priebe said the city has begun talking with county officials and state lawmakers to introduce legislation to make this a uniform rule throughout the state. A bill was introduced in the Michigan House to make it a misdemeanor to alter a toy gun. It went nowhere.
If Taylor cops get their way, kids and adults flashing plastic Airsoft guns around town could pay a $500 fine or spend 90 days in jail.
Officials are considering following the lead of a handful of cities nationwide with an ordinance to ban replica or imitation firearms. The popular toys, which cost $5 to $500, are sold to those 18 and older in department stores and even the corner dollar store.
"These guns are inexpensive and look similar to real guns," said Taylor Police Chief Dale Tamsen. Taylor is the latest Metro Detroit community taking steps to regulate use of the plastic, rubber-pellet guns, which federal law requires to have distinctive orange tips.
Detroit, Westland and Dearborn have ordinances limiting toy guns, Taylor officials said.
Taylor City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at its Feb. 5 meeting.
Police began pushing the idea because they said a group of teens in a "shoot-out" with fake handguns panicked holiday shoppers outside Southland Mall in December. Nine police cars responded after several frantic 911 calls. The gun tips were altered with a black marker or removed.
"It caused mass panic. People thought there was a real shoot-out," Tamsen said. "If they turned around and pointed that gun at a cop, it could have easily been mistaken for a weapon."
Tom Vaughan, co-owner of Firing Line in Westland, said his store sells the plastic guns as training aids, mainly to police officers.
"Most laws are made for only those few who may break them. Most of us know what's right and wrong," he said.
The city's proposal is broad, covering replica firearms like pistols, revolvers, shotguns, machine guns or hobby models and says anyone who carries, aims or points the firearm in a manner to "frighten, threaten, harass, panic or annoy" would be in violation of the measure.
Alicia Carpenter, 26, owns three of the toy weapons. She bought them about a month ago at a dollar store near Eureka and Inkster for less than $20. A self-described "big kid," the Taylor woman said she enjoys firing the guns with her boyfriend but acknowledged she worries that youngsters have the guns.
Taylor Mayor Cameron Priebe said the city has begun talking with county officials and state lawmakers to introduce legislation to make this a uniform rule throughout the state. A bill was introduced in the Michigan House to make it a misdemeanor to alter a toy gun. It went nowhere.
By the sound of it this is targeting the negative side of airsoft with the walmart pistols in public parks and schools, but does anyone know if this can affect those of us who play on private property like a anyone in MIA should?
