St. Paul Approves Ban on Realistic Replica Guns
According to the Star Tribune, on Wednesday, the city council unanimously approved a ban on public display of real-looking replica guns and made it a misdemeanor to do so as well. The ban was proposed by Council Member Lee Helgen in response to the recent surge of juveniles carrying airsoft guns. It was reported that no one spoke against the ordinance at the public hearing.
The Pioneer Press reported that Mayor Chris Coleman supports the ban. According to the paper the ban does not cover obvious toys such as water pistols. Real-looking guns that shoot pellets, known generally as Airsoft guns, have been cited in several officer-involved shootings where police mistook them for the real thing. They have also been used to commit crimes. Now, to make it easier for the police and others to identify the toy guns, they must be painted a bright color.