Firing Air Soft, BB funs illegal

The BB guns Wake Forest police officers have confiscated recently look like pistols – and can be as dangerous when fired at other people.

            Air Soft and BB guns are increasingly popular, and the town’s police department wants to tell people about the dangers of those guns. Officers also want to remind everyone that firing the guns in town violates two town ordinances. If officers see such guns, they can inspect them to ascertain they are not real firearms.

            There have been a number of calls about people, usually juveniles, who have fired the Air Soft or BB guns at others or at property.

           Air Soft is the common name for BB funs that use plastic or ceramic pellets larger than the regular BBs. Standard BBs are made of copper or steel and have a diameter equal to 0.177 caliber (4.5 mm). Air Soft BBs are generally 6 mm or near 0.24 caliber.

            Air Soft was designed as a toy and became popular after law enforcement departments began using the guns to simulate live fire training. Nowadays the “toy” guns are made to resemble all manner of firearms, including assault weapons.

            If you want more information, you can call the department at 554-6150.