Cops say air guns are potentially dangerous

Cops say air guns are potentially dangerous By Lori E. Porter porter@theacorn.com

Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station deputies were called to an Agoura Hills home on a March afternoon around 3:15 p.m. after authorities got a call from a woman. She had observed two rifles in a home’s window. Worse, the weapons had been pointed at Lindero Canyon Middle School (LCMS).

After deputies surrounded the house and cleared the school parking lot (ordering parents, staff and students back into the school), peace officers discovered that two teenagers had been playing with the air-operated devices.

The incident serves as a warning about the dangers of toy weapons. In this incident, they were exact replicas of assault-style AR-15s (the semiautomatic equivalents of M16s).

It’s difficult to distinguish between air guns and real ones, even for trained law officers.

The only difference is a small orange tip on the muzzle of toy guns. About 20 years ago, a federal law required manufacturers to modify their replica guns so they’d look less authentic. In 1992, the law was revised. Either an orange ring was required or the entire gun had to be brightly colored.

Sgt. Philip Morris said there have been similar calls.

"Deputies are concerned because of the difficulty distinguishing replicas from authentic firearms," Morris said. "In handling these high-priority calls, deputies are oftentimes required to make a split-second decision whether or not the firearm is authentic."

People have been shot in other areas, he said, because of look-alike guns.

Law enforcement officers aren’t the only ones who misidentify toy guns. A civilian could also shoot in self-defense if he felt threatened by someone with a replica firearm.

And teenagers have sometimes removed the orange rings to make the guns appear real, which makes them even more dangerous.

Authorities are warning parents and teenagers about replica air guns. Parents should closely supervise their children who have air soft firearms.

Texas is known for its liberal views on possession of firearms. But in 2002 , the Carrollton, Texas City Council amended its ordinance and outlawed toy guns for minors.

Regarding the incident at LCMS, there were no arrests but the replica guns were confiscated. In a letter sent to parents the following day, LCMS Principal Ron Kaiser said, "Our kids were terrific and did exactly as they were told. Shortly thereafter the police gave us the all-clear signal." Kaiser told parents that the kids were in no danger and were perfectly safe throughout the incident.

"I commend the sheriffs for their rapid response and the citizen who informed them of a possible danger to our staff and students."