Buh, bye to airsoft in California!
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<b>Local officers praise new law about toy guns
Governor signs bill banning realistic-looking weapons in public</b>
By KELLY NIX
The Salinas Californian
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ABOUT THE LAW
A new state law prohibits the use of toy or imitation guns in public unless they are clear plastic or painted a bright color. Fines range from $100 for the first offense to $200 for the second offense and a misdemeanor charge for three or more offenses.
Salinas police say they overwhelmingly support a new state law that prohibits displaying toy guns in public unless the weapons are clearly fake.
"If it discourages people from carrying realistic guns, it can only help in preventing potentially tragic confrontations," said Salinas police Lt. Kelly McMillin.
On Monday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1858 by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Santa Ana. The law requires that for toy guns to be shown or played with in public, they must be made of clear plastic or be painted a bright color so that they are not mistaken for a real firearm. The law took effect immediately.
Those who break the law face a $100 fine for the first offense, $200 for second offense and a misdemeanor charge on a third or subsequent offense, according to a statement from state Attorney General Bill Lockyer's office.
Deputy police Chief Rick Moore said Salinas officers have had numerous close calls involving realistic-looking toy weapons.
Earlier this year, an officer investigating a call of a person with a firearm came face-to-face with a boy holding a paintball gun, Moore said.
"The officer, through all of this, realized it was a paintball (gun) and didn't shoot the kid," he said.
Some of the imitation or toy guns Salinas police officers have confiscated look so authentic they're dead ringers for the real thing, McMillin said.
"When a police officer sees somebody with a weapon, you have seconds or fractions of a second to make a life-or-death decision. You certainly don't have time to inquire about the authenticity of the gun."
Along with cap guns or other toys, the law also applies to airguns, including the BB and pellet variety.
The law requires that imitation firearms manufactured after July 1, 2005, have a warning label that states the law.
Theatrical productions and sporting events that use imitation guns are exempt from the law.
The legislation also allows prosecutors to file additional charges if someone uses a realistic-looking fake firearm in a public building, airport or school.
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