5:17pm Wednesday 23rd November 2005
A WARNING about the dangers of using ball bearing (BB) guns was issued by police this week, amid concerns some parents may give the weapons to children as Christmas presents.
Hertfordshire Constabulary warned that anyone who fires a BB gun in a public place is at risk of arrest for a number of offences, including possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
BB guns, which fire small plastic balls, can be bought relatively easily and legally in the county, and are popular especially with teenagers.
However, Inspector Derek Hollick, of the constabulary's firearms department ,said: "BB guns can look very realistic and in responding to such an incident, officers have to treat the gun as a real firearm, until they can be absolutely sure that it is not a lethal weapon.
"We would ask parents and shop owners to take this warning extremely seriously and help us to prevent their child or someone else's from getting seriously injured or worse."
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