Over 50 imitation guns handed

Tag : bearing ball

More than 50 imitation firearms have been handed in by members ofthe public during a month-long guns amnesty by Avon and Somersetpolice in June.
They included BB (ball bearing) guns, toy guns and a seven ft(2.13m) musket.
Fake and replica guns have been involved in 90% of all theincidents which have required armed police in the Avon and Somersetarea.
The amnesty was organised as part of a campaign to highlight thedangers of possessing imitation firearms.
'Presents for children'
Police have been visiting secondary schools to explain the dangersto young people, who they say think that imitation weapons canprovide self-protection.
Supt Andy Pullan said: "We find that imitation guns are oftenbought as presents for children and young people from car bootsales.
"But the use of these realistic looking weapons in public couldresult in children facing armed officers, putting themselves andothers in real danger, and being arrested.
"Every firearm we take out of circulation is one less posing adanger to the public."