Replica guns took another shot across the bow recently when Gov.
Arnold Schwar-zenegger signed a bill banning the lethal-looking
imitation weapons from appearing in public as the real thing.
Replica guns took another shot across the bow recently when Gov. Arnold Schwar-zenegger signed a bill banning the lethal-looking imitation weapons from appearing in public as the real thing.
Any imitation gun must have distinctive colorful markings, be brightly colored or transparent, anything to make them “immediately recognizable as imitation” to police.
The markings, often a bright orange stripe on otherwise gunmetal or black, cannot be removed. The guns typically shoot plastic pellets or BBs.
Removing the markings or brandishing the guns in public will be a misdemeanor. The law is now in effect.
The ban also forces manufacturers to print a notice on the guns’ boxes that the weapons look real and could be dangerous to the health of the owner if confronted by police.
Manufacturers have until June 2005 to make the changes.
Failure to comply would bring the manufacturers a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense, up to $5,000 for the second and up to $10,000 for the third.
Interim Police Chief Bruce Cumming said he, and other police agencies, were happy about the bill.
“The governor got a lot of pressure from law enforcement officers,” Cumming said.
The bill – SB 1858 – was passed by the Assembly in May and Senate on Aug. 16.Morgan Hill’s out-going senator, Bruce McPherson, voted for the bill; Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Modesto, who represents Hollister and Salinas, voted no.
The Morgan Hill City Council recently passed an ordinance that went into effect Sept. 24, as a result of an incident in April where police came perilously close to shooting four teenage boys.
The boys appeared to be carrying real weapons and were dressed and acting in threatening manner while approaching children playing at Jackson School.
At the last moment, one officer noticed that one of the guns had a white handle and was not lethal.
But Cumming said it was a very close thing, one he does not want to repeat.
In Gilroy, Police Chief Gregg Giusiana said he may bring up the possibility of a city law restricting “airsoft” plastic-BB guns at the city council’s annual retreat on public safety matters in November.
