Posted on 10/30/2001 5:14:58 PM PST by Swordmaker
WASHINGTON – The Consumer Product Safety Commission filed an administrative lawsuit Tuesday against Daisy Manufacturing Co. seeking the recall of 7.5 million Powerline Airguns because of what the CPSC says is a substantial risk of death or injury to anyone using one.
Daisy, of Rogers, Ark., has refused to recall the weapons, which have been on sale since September 1972.
The CPSC said there have been at least 15 deaths and 171 serious injuries – 80 percent of them children under 16 – associated with the airguns. The CPSC alleges defects in Daisy's manufacturing.
The CPSC began investigating the BB guns in May 2000 after hearing Daisy had made changes to the model 856 Powerline Airgun in 1999 to eliminate the possible places where a BB could get stuck.
Tuesday's lawsuit contends the guns are defective because BBs can become lodged in the magazine of the airguns, even though the airgun can appear empty. That, the suit says, can lead to children playing with the weapons, believing them safe. The stuck BB can then become dislodged, causing death or serious injury if fired in the direction of another person.
Despite the 1999 modifications, the CPSC contends Daisy models 856 and 880 are still defective because they fail to incorporate an automatic safety system. The airguns have a manual safety button.
Daisy lawyer Jeffrey Locker said it was difficult to believe users are unaware of the presence of a BB, stuck or not, because it takes seven steps to fire the guns.
The family of John Tucker Mahoney had been pushing for a recall ever since the then-16-year-old Pennsylvania youth was shot in the head in 1999 by a friend and left in a near vegetative state with severe injuries. Daisy settled a suit with the family for $18 million.
That is approximately one-half fatality per year of production!
Do you suppose there is anything less lethally dangerous than these BB guns???
I wonder how many plague deaths were prevented because some young hunter used his Daisy BB gun to off an infected ground squirrel?
You yourself know the mechanical differences. An air rifle allows a CO2 cylinder or multiple pumps to increase velocity. A BB gun is one pump one shot low velocity. The word rifle is strangely missing from this article and gives the appearance that a BB gun and air rifle are one in the same.
A BB gun should be used for teaching kids gun safety. Treat it as you would any weapon. Next step would be an air rifle. This article misses that point that you teach anyone all guns are loaded at all times no exceptions to the rule in treatment and handling of them. By doing so the chances for accidents is greatly reduced. I have yet to figure out how anyone trained in the handling of a firearm can shoot themselves cleaning it.
Hmmm let's see, 3 million abortions a year and 3 million deaths from it. Yes, let's go after these cruel BB guns. Gotta love liberal priorities.
POP... next!
randystone
This article makes me so sick - again, it's just another case of blame the manufacturer/product for user error..........
Yes an air rifle and a BB gun are indeed very different in power. I live in the country and use a Crossman air rifle to kill possums with. That should give you an idea of their power. Short range they are deadly. Neither a BB gun nor an air rifle is a bad thing for a kid to have but parents and the kid must realize the differences between them. I wouldn't just say here son Merry Christmas here's your air rifle. I would treat it and make the child treat it as a .22 caliber. But then again I would require that standard with a BB gun to. The idea is saftey and responsibility. BB guns are forgiving in that respect. Air rifles is another matter.
(They're cold because we just came in from shooting empty cans in the back yard this evening.)
I pump it up, and Lurker Jr. pops them dead center just like I taught him. He really likes it when I let him shoot those old full pop cans I found in the picnic cooler left over from July 4th.
Just for the record, BBs just make nice round little holes, but if you use a flat point pellet and shake the pop cans up they blow up real good.
Regards,
L
I know... I agree totally.
I was just making the point that one way to spite the gun grabbers if they come after the 'small stuff' is to go buy some 'big stuff'.
But you're absolutely correct. No ground, no matter how small, should be surrendered to the traitors who are trying to deprive us of our freedom and and right to keep and bear arms... from BB guns to 50 caliber rifles.
Any long term blurred vision? problems hearing or walking?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.