Before a new weapons ordinance goes into effect on April 1st, the Grand Rapids Police Department Thursday launched a campaign to educate the public on the new rules, as well as the dangers of playing with realistic-looking toy guns.
In September of 2018, Grand Rapids Police Officer Michael Reed shot at a 14-year-old boy he believed was holding an real gun. The bullet hit a tree, and the boy lived—thankfully, as the firearm was nothing more than a BB-gun. No charges were filed against the officer after a Michigan State Police investigation that determined, that Reed followed proper protocol; how is he supposed to recognize a real gun from a BB or toy gun in a life and death situation?
The story is one of countless others like it, and ultimately one that led the Grand Rapids City Commission to adopt a new weapons ordinance last December that places tougher restrictions on Pneumatic guns: meaning, guns that shoot BB’s, pellets and paintballs, as well as imitation guns that children often play with as toys.
On Thursday, the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Police Department launched an educational campaign to promote awareness of the new rules.
“We need a safe community, and its not just law enforcement,” Payne said. “We need everyone’s help to curb gun violence.
The new law prohibits brandishing BB or other pneumatic guns, unless at a target range or on private property, it prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from possessing a pneumatic gun, and bans the possession of imitation or toy guns unless they have markings required by federal law such as an orange tip or brightly colored body. The ordinance also calls on local parents to educate both themselves and their children on the rules which officially go into effect April 1st.