Posted on 12/22/2013 6:48:15 PM PST by Doomonyou
To the surprise of even city council members, the Petaluma Police Department dusted off a little-known law last week in an effort to educate the public on the city's regulations regarding toy guns. The move comes in the wake of the shooting death of 13-year-old Andy Lopez by a Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy, who reportedly mistook a replica airsoft gun the teen was carrying for a real AK-47 assault rifle.
The shooting sparked a handful of phone calls from concerned citizens seeking information about the laws regulating airsoft guns, which caused the Petaluma police to announce the ordinance in a press release last week.
The obscure Petaluma Municipal Code 10.56 outlaws the discharge or public display of any firearms — including airsoft and BB guns — within city limits. Firing any type of gun within Petaluma's boundaries is a misdemeanor criminal offense punishable by a $75 to $500 fine and up to six months in jail. There are exceptions to the law that cover police officer's weapons and legally licensed firearms being used in self defense.
The ordinance also makes the public display of any type of firearm or toy replica illegal, other than transporting legally owned guns within the trunk of a vehicle. Petaluma police officers have ticketed individuals for firing BB guns and airsoft rifles within city limits in the past, but Petaluma Police Sgt. Jim Stephenson said it's a rare occurrence.
“We've received a few calls from rural residents, complaining of people firing airsoft guns and pellet guns over the past few years,” he said, unable to remember how many times officers have responded to such reports in recent years. “We've cited a couple people for it, but it hasn't happened too often.”
(Excerpt) Read more at petaluma360.com ...
I will be moving to Texas ASAP.
...state Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, are considering introducing new legislation aimed at regulating toy guns, in light of the Lopez tragedy.
How about reining in trigger happy cops who shoot first and ask questions later?
So in Petaluma the cops would get a pass for gunning down a 13 year old with an airsoft gun?
How is this different?
I’m calling BS on this Petaluma PD.
“... or public display of any firearms ...”
Ah, the catch all phrase that will lead to your arrest.
Since when are BB guns considered firearms? They are certainly guns, but they are certainly NOT firearms.
P.S. “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
I guess in Petaluma you have the right to keep, but not bear arms.
They forgot to mention that violating the law is also punishable by execution.
That’s got to be one of the laimest statement by a brownshirt dept I have ever heard.It doesn’t change the fact they killed a 13 year old.Prayers for the family.
When you’ve grown tired of shooting pet dogs, and want the thrill of killing an 8 yr old boy, these laws are just the excuse.
And sporks, of course.
It would not be a surprise to find out that these elite liberal gits have already outlawed "assault" bats; as in any bat that can hold more than ten hands upon its length.
If this municipal code 10.56 is so OBSCURE, why are Sonoma Co sheriffs drawing down on a little kid with a toy gun?
That ship has already sailed, long ago.
"to protect and serve" Even if it means slaughtering your kids, the militarized police are here for your safety.
A toy gun is NOT a firearm. If it is a firearm it is not a toy anything.
I am generally pretty soft hearted. This one was so egregious tho that I believe I would allow the boy’s family to select a trained marksman and have him greet the cop.
The cop would be carrying a toy Glock 17. The marksman then could shoot the cop down like a dog.
Well it remains to be seen if the cops call the murder of the boy a “righteous kill.”
The actual airsoft gun in question next to a real one.
Well the protection of the cops out weighs the rights and protection of the general population.
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