Don't put yourself or your children at risk - that is the message being given by North Wales Police as they urge parents not to buy imitations guns ahead of Christmas.
Officers are warning that air and imitation guns (which include BB guns) are not toys and can cause serious injuries and even kill.
Although gun crime is low in north Wales, concerns are raised when the majority of people cannot tell the difference between a real gun or an air weapon.
"We are urging parents not to purchase imitation firearms as gifts as use of these realistic looking weapons in public could result in youngsters facing real armed officers," said Assistant Chief Constable, Gareth Pritchard.
"Youths or adults carrying them in public can cause real alarm to residents who think they are real guns. This can trigger 999 calls and a response by armed officers.
"People must realise it is an offence to have air and imitation guns in a public place, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse and you can be arrested.
"Our message is clear - don't put yourself or children at risk, know the dangers, know the law."
Weapons such as BB guns are frequently used in criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and can cause injury to people, pets and wildlife.
To educate youngsters regarding these dangers, North Wales Police, through their School Community Police Officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, regularly talk to youngsters about the dangers associated with imitation firearms.
ACC Pritchard added: "It is very difficult, even to the trained eye, to decide whether the gun is real or not and an armed officer only has a split second to make that decision.
"We are fortunate not to have a serious problem with gun crime here in north Wales, but we are never complacent in wanting to educate the public so a potential tragedy can be prevented thanks to better awareness of the risks.
"This is not about trying to spoil Christmas for young people but about helping to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time over the festive period."
Between January and October this year, North Wales Police Firearms officers attended 18 incidents involving air weapons or BB guns, compared to 19 incidents during the same period in 2009.
Firearms facts:
• It is an offence to possess an air weapon or imitation firearm in public without legal authority or reasonable excuse (a reasonable excuse may include someone possessing an air weapon or imitation firearm weapon in line with their professional duties, such as a farmer).
• People under the age of 18 may not purchase, hire, sell or let on hire any weapon or ammunition
• Those under the age of 18 may not be in possession of an air weapon at anytime unless supervised by a person who is aged 21 or over, or as part of a shooting club or gallery.
• Persons may possess an air weapon on private property with the consent of the owner. But, it is an offence for any person who is using an air weapon on private property to fire any missile beyond the boundaries of the premises. A maximum penalty for this offence is currently £1,000. For housing tenants permission has to be sought from the landowner.
If you have information on the use of imitation weapons, please call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.
If you would like to speak to a member of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team for advice or if you have any concerns please dial 101.
Loading...
5:58
Military toy gunsby UMSC96143,760 views
Don't buy toy guns for your kids, or the armed response team will come and shoot them.
Good to know the streets are in safe hands isn't it?
Guncriminal 1 year ago 122
Yeah use your brain mate!!! No police officer is gonna shoot a child with a toy however in major towns every where there are 14-15 year olds in gangs arming themselves with guns and shooting each other over £10 drug debts!!!!!!
The message is if you don't buy them they'll never get any bother!! If you do buy them supervise the use of them and don't let them go into public!!!
Hope the message is clearer for you now. MORON
andywhedd 1 year ago 23