8th-grader killed by Texas police had pellet gun

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by PSM

Pellet, BB, and airsoft guns don't have the orange tips. On the other hand, a bad guy could easily paint one on a real weapon.

Pat

Around here Pellet and BB is mixed, Airsoft on the other hand all come with an orange tip, they cannot be shipped within the CONUS without an orange tip and it is a federal offense to import Airsoft weaponry without the orange tip......which in most cases is removable.

As required by Federal Law, ALL airsoft guns shipped by www.AirsoftMegastore.comwill have a permanently affixed BLAZE ORANGE tip. By purchasing airsoft items from us, the buyer warrants that he/she is 18 years of age or older and is legally able to purchase the item(s) shown. It is the responsibility of the BUYER to ascertain and obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

The weapon in question looks like a Glock of the AEP variety

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SPIUFO/...SIN=B000SPIUFO


And yes a bad guy could paint the tip orange and even color the weapon pink and California has debated to make Airsoft weapons more safe and easily distinguished.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Around here Pellet and BB is mixed, Airsoft on the other hand all come with an orange tip, they cannot be shipped within the CONUS without an orange tip and it is a federal offense to import Airsoft weaponry without the orange tip......which in most cases is removable.



The weapon in question looks like a Glock of the AEP variety

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SPIUFO/...SIN=B000SPIUFO

Odd, didn't see that even in California...which makes sense, really, since they are still dangerous, "You could put your eye out!"

You can still paint a real weapon orange, so what's the point?

Pat

[alelks]

It doesn't matter who has the weapon that is pointed at you, if he pulls the trigger you could die.

In a choice between him or me he looses EVERY TIME.

By not taking the shot they would have put the choice of whether to shoot at a policeman or someone else in the kids hands. Personally I won't give him that choice if he points the weapon at me and that has nothing to do with self respect but rather the cold facts of life as we know it.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by PSM

Odd, didn't see that even in California...which makes sense, really, since they are still dangerous, "You could put your eye out!"

You can still paint a real weapon orange, so what's the point?

Pat

Exactly, that is the point, the law is useless. But it doesn't stop them from trying...

http://www.airsoft2day.com/news/86-n...alifornia.html

[longrange1947]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

Cowardice is cowardice. If your life is more important than your self respect then pull the trigger.



Ran plenty of missions in a free fire zone and we didn't kill women and children. I would not allow my men to do that nor would I. I have more concern for my self respect than that.

BuffaloBob, you are full of it. I had a good friend whose wife was shot in the back and killed by a 12 and 13 year old during a break in. There is no cowardice in defending yourself and others against violence. I would have dropped the two punks in a millisec. If you would not have, then are just as guilty of her death as the two punks are. THAT is cowardice!

My daughter is LEO and would hope she has the inner courage to drop some kid with a gun that "could" kill other innocent kids. It is too easy to walk away and claim the so called "superior ground" when in reality there is a fear of being condemned for your actions.

[Utah Bob]

I wore a badge for 32 years. I probably would have done the same thing.
Call me a coward if you want.

And there's a big difference between being a cop and a combat soldier. trust me. I've been both.
Bad situation. The family lost their boy and the cops will never forget this incident. More than one has changed careers after something like this.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by PSM

Odd, didn't see that even in California...which makes sense, really, since they are still dangerous, "You could put your eye out!" Pat

Many of the photos on the airsoft packaging show the gun without the orange tip for a more "realistic" sell. I noticed that when my 9 y/o wanted one. I wasn't about to let him have something without the orange tip. Discovered they all have it, despite the packaging.

As for the 15 y/o - tragic.

Susan

[MTN Medic]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

I would not allow my men to do that nor would I. I have more concern for my self respect than that.

Sucks, but actions have consequences.
FTR, the gun looks exactly like a Glock 17.

[MTN Medic]

NM

[Snaquebite]

Tragic as it is I stand with the PD on this one...to call them cowards is pure BS. I have a BB pistol that I shoo the cats out of my yard. From even a close distance you would think it's a SW M&P5. No red/orange tip. The only way you would know it's a BB pistol would be if you were staring straight down the barrell close up.

02-15-08-mp.jpg

[longrange1947]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

Tragic as it is I stand with the PD on this one...to call them cowards is pure BS. I have a BB pistol that I shoo the cats out of my yard. From even a close distance you would think it's a SW M&P5. No red/orange tip. The only way you would know it's a BB pistol would be if you were staring straight down the barrell close up.

That close up, I doubt seriously if you would notice the bore size, as, from experience, it will be magnified.

[Snaquebite]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

That close up, I doubt seriously if you would notice the bore size, as, from experience, it will be magnified.

You're right Rick... I would just see a gun.

[CRad]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

BuffaloBob, you are full of it. I had a good friend whose wife was shot in the back and killed by a 12 and 13 year old during a break in. There is no cowardice in defending yourself and others against violence. I would have dropped the two punks in a millisec. If you would not have, then are just as guilty of her death as the two punks are. THAT is cowardice!

My daughter is LEO and would hope she has the inner courage to drop some kid with a gun that "could" kill other innocent kids. It is too easy to walk away and claim the so called "superior ground" when in reality there is a fear of being condemned for your actions.

Longrange - out of all the posts I decided to quote yours since you are the one I know, and knowing you personally, respect the most.

As the mom of a 15 yr old I have mixed emotions about this shooting. God forbid Zac should ever lose sight of what Chuck and I have taught him about guns but should that happen, I appreciate the second and even third look that ALL law enforcement take before firing a single shot whether in self defense or in defense of others. And, I know they do exactly that. Were it my son, I'd be so done in and wanting to blame Somebody for his death.

By the same token, if my boy was in danger from a fellow student, I'd want the police to do what ever it took to keep him safe.

I can't get past the idea of losing my son regardless of the reason or fault. God Bless the poor officer who had to make such a hard call. My heart truly goes out to them. At the same time so does my thanks that should such a thing occur I can believe my boy will be protected.

Like I said mixed emotions. All said and done, I stand by the officers who made the hard call.

Cheri - Zac's Mommy

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by JimP

Buffalo - maybe you're from the Vietnam generation but if a young 15 yr old kid vietnamese pointed an AK at you, you'd put your weapon away and try to talk him down...??

If not - why are you requiring the cops to do so here??

I guess you can call me a coward as well because there's no way I'd "hope" the kid wouldn't shoot me. I'd try to shoot him first. Only if i could 100% GUARANTEE that I recognized the pistol as a fake, would I NOT shoot.

15 years old will kill you grave-yard dead same as a 26 year old combat vet. Bullets don't care who does the triggering.

I agree with you JimP. Looking at that 'Pellet Pistol' I would have to say it looked like a real Glock to me. I would have most likely have had to shoot too.

That said I thought that the manufactures of toy guns and pellet weapons had agreed to design them not to look like real firearms, using colors and other means.

That said there are many pellet type weapons on the market that have feet-per-second velocities that can kill or severely injure one.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

I wore a badge for 32 years. I probably would have done the same thing.
Call me a coward if you want.

And there's a big difference between being a cop and a combat soldier. trust me. I've been both.
Bad situation. The family lost their boy and the cops will never forget this incident. More than one has changed careers after something like this.

Very true as well. I spent 34+ Years on the job!