Posted on 08/18/2006 12:56:31 PM PDT by SmithL
ANYONE WHO HAS ever been shot by an air gun does not need to be told that, in the wrong hands, it can be a dangerous weapon.
Just ask Orinda City Councilman Steven Glazer. In October of 2003, Glazer was driving in a convertible with his family in Orinda when he felt a hard thump on his neck.
When he went to the hospital, doctors told him that he had been shot by a pellet that barely missed his carotid artery. He had to undergo a two-hour surgery and says he still suffers numbness in his face and neck.
At the time, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office believed it had identified the shooter - Eli Polk, son of convicted murderer Susan Polk.
Prosecutors, however, declined to press charges. They said a major reason was that unlike in the case of a firearm, there was nothing in the law that made it a crime to negligently discharge an air gun.
Why? Because air guns are not on the list of firearms included under an existing law.
"This is a huge loophole that should have been closed a long time ago," says Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch. Spurred by the shooting of Glazer in Contra Costa County, Torlakson has authored a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to fire a pellet or BB gun in a "grossly negligent manner that could result in injury or death."
Anyone convicted could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.
The bill has passed both the Assembly and the Senate. It has now awaits Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature.
Some state officials argue the law is unnecessary, that current laws already allow prosecutors to bring assault and battery charges for reckless use of a firearm, and that includes air guns.
However, it would appear that existing laws on the books do not go far enough in protecting California residents from weapons that some people mistake for toys.
As Torlakson rightly points out, some air gun muzzles have a velocity that surpasses that of a handgun. If a BB lands in someone's eye or another vulnerable body part, it can cause major bodily harm.
In 2005, 21,000 people had to be treated in hospital emergency rooms after they were injured by a BB or other air gun, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Air guns clearly are not to be taken lightly. We urge Schwarzenegger to send that message by signing Torlakson's bill into law.
Rubber Band Guns and nail guns should be outlawed too... and also baseballs, rocks, sticks, and thick pieces of wheat grass.
Outlaw spitball shooters, too! They can put out your eye!
SHUT-UP!! Militant
As always libs ban things and refuse to condemn actions of people. They are so tolerant and non-judgemental that they don't care what people do. But they ban things like guns, fireworks, cell phones.
The right thing to ban is agressive harmful actions.
ANYONE WHO HAS ever been shot by an BB gun does not need to be told that, in the wrong hands, it can be a dangerous weapon.......
ANYONE WHO HAS ever been shot by a BLOW gun does not need to be told that, in the wrong hands, it can be a dangerous weapon..........
ANYONE WHO HAS ever been shot by an PAPERWAD gun does not need to be told that, in the wrong hands, it can be a dangerous weapon.......
How did I know it was a dem just from the headline? /s
About the only gun I know of that isn't dangerous is a TY-WRAP GUN..............
Of course he will sign it just like he signed the .50 cal ban.
Onwards marches the liberal war on fun.
Jeesh... They make a big stink about air guns, and yet they do nothing to combat the much bigger public menace of "assault sporks"...
Damn, I only have 4 air rifles. 2 that send a pellet at least 1000ft per second. Great for killing pest squirrels, fieid mice and even armadillos.
As for the rest my REAL rifles and pistols do the job.
I think those can be dangerous, too, if you hit someone on the head with them or try to put them into an oriface where they don't belong. I'm afraid it's just time to outlaw everything!! The potential for anything to be used as a weapon just terrifies me!!
Militant
Anyone who has ever been _____ by a(n) _____ does not need to be told that, in the wrong hands, it can be a dangerous weapon.
Meaningless emotional drivel is a poor foundation for good law.
Large caliber (.308, .50) big game airguns here:
http://www.quackenbushairguns.com/
You guys should check out the poll at the link.
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