Christmas amnesty on replica weapons
10:46am Tuesday 12th December 2006 in News By Telegraph newsdesk
PARENTS are being urged not to buy ball bearing guns and other replica weapons as Christmas presents for their children.
And those youngsters who have bb-guns are being urged to hand them in at police stations across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale as part of a Christmas amnesty, which runs until January 15.
Officers say ball bearing guns can cause serious damage to people and property and that anyone carrying one of these or an imitation weapon, could face a fixed penalty notices or arrest.
Sgt Mark Baines from Pennine's Armed Response Unit said: "It is an offence for a person to have an imitation firearm or anything that has the appearance of being a firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
"It is important parents realise this, and realise the dangers that these types of guns can pose.
"At the very least, they cause public concern due to their frightening similarity to real weapons and at worse, those weapons capable of firing - even if it is just ball bearings or plastic pellets - can cause very serious injury or even death.
"The last thing we want to see is people or property damaged by weapons of this nature or frightened young people being faced with fully armed officers, which is why we are keen to educate people in the run up to Christmas and encourage them to give bb-guns and replica weapons the thumbs down."
The amnesty is open to youths aged 17 and under. Youngsters who take advantage of the amnesty, and leave their details, will be put into a free prize draw and have the chance to win an ipod or a DVD player.
