With high-grade polymers and metal replicas replacing cheap plastic, a Bay of Plenty police chief insists imitation firearms have changed beyond all recognition over the last ten years.
The warning comes after a man was arrested in Papamoa last week after he was seen stalking the streets with what looked like to be a real M4 assault rifle.
Imitation guns are looking more genuine and are becoming harder to distinguish from the real thing, according to police chiefs.
'With the advent of 'Air Soft” guns (which shoot a plastic pellet) they are in most cases made of metal to replicate the weight and feel of a real gun,” says Tauranga Police Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell.
'Police believe that if you own an imitation or replica firearm, they should be used in a safe environment and not be carried in public unless in some sort of a container.”
Amongst other things, this will help to insure that members of the public will not be alarmed.
Police received multiple calls last Thursday at about 9am which sparked an armed response in the Range and Evans Roads area.
Police quickly arrested the man and found the weapon he was carrying was in fact a paintball gun. Read more about the incident here.
Carl says the only difference between the paintball gun and a real M4 semi-automatic rifle are the hoppers on top of the gun to hold the paintballs.
The man was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm in and near a dwelling, and possession of a firearm.
He was due to appear in the Tauranga Registrar's Court on Monday, but the case has been adjourned until February 9.
7 comments
Shoot these idiots
Posted on 22-01-2015 15:50 | By Annalist
People stupid enough to carry around what appear to be guns should expect to be shot. I expect police to look after those of us who don't feel the need to put themselves in stupid positions. Zero tolerance for firearms or lookalike guns.
Hypocrite
Posted on 22-01-2015 18:26 | By mattbz
You say you have 0 tolerance for either real guns, or replicas, in any circumstances, such as hunting or paintball etc. But you want the police to shoot them? Maybe you're the idiot
Hi 'mattbz'
Posted on 23-01-2015 09:41 | By SonnyJim
Clearly, 'Annalist's comments are upon the above article, and should not be taken out of context and embellished.
Guns are a tool
Posted on 23-01-2015 09:48 | By Rate1
Guns aren't the problem, they don't have a brain..people are the issue. Perhaps better education on gun usage plus better information on requirements when one purchases an imitation paintball or airsoft gun for the sales person.
misplaced blame
Posted on 23-01-2015 11:42 | By JayR
The problem is not gun look-a-likes, the problem is idiots who carry them out in the open and ignorance of the general public not knowing the difference between a TOY and a firearm.
not a firearm
Posted on 23-01-2015 11:48 | By JayR
"The man was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm in and near a dwelling, and possession of a firearm." A paintball gun is not a firearm. What is wrong with our system here?
@JayR
Posted on 23-01-2015 14:33 | By Jimmy Ehu
the public should not have to be put in the position to make that choice, so do not call us ignorant when we are in the majority.... maybe it is the idiots as you say, and yes I have a firearms license and adhere to the rules on it.
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