Replica air pistols cause for concern

Teens shooting fake guns
at each other from vehicles
Posted 4/5/02

By DAWN SLADE
Mille Lacs County Times

Milaca law enforcement personnel are concerned with a potentially dangerous situation - BB guns and air pistols.

During a conversation with area teenagers, Milaca Police Officer Rick Waldahl was informed that the teens had been driving around with an air pistol, shooting at each other.

The air pistol looks like a real automatic pistol.

The teenagers told the officer that the gun was "fake," and that they purchased it at a Wal-Mart for about $15.

Milaca Police Chief Mike Mott contacted the Wal-Mart store and the sporting goods department manager confirmed that they sell the air pistol, along with other BB and pellet guns which look like real pistols. The department manager said the storeís policy is to sell the guns only to adults, ages 18 and over.

The air pistol, which is manufactured by Daisy, is a Powerline Airstrike 24 model. Itís a 24 caliber or 6 mm gun which shoots metallic or synthetic projectiles from a 15 round clip or magazine. It retails at Wal-Mart for $17.87 and comes with 100 plastic BBs.

The guns are intended for target practice, but if misused they can easily cause damage or hurt someone.

Mott said misconduct with the gun can result in being charged with anything from disorderly conduct to traffic offenses.

According to Mott, the teens are driving around and "shooting" at their friends. "It could be a very innocent circumstance, but if an officer observes it, it may appear to be a weapon. Someone could definitely get hurt," Mott said.

"If one is pulled out during a routine traffic stop, it poses a potentially serious threat. Officers are trained to respond," Mott added.