Criminals in California paint their real guns bright colors in 3… 2… 1…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – I said it before, and I’ll say it again: “From the “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” file, a bill currently in the California Legislature would require BB guns and Airsoft Pellet guns painted bright toy colors so they won’t be mistaken for real guns.” And they did.
The legislation has had difficulty passing, but finally made it out of the Assembly 41-34. The bill will go back to the Senate for a vote.
SB 199, by Sen. Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, will require BB and airsoft guns to be painted bright colors to make them “readily identifiable” so law enforcement officers can distinguish them from real firearms.
BB guns are used for a variety of purposes, including competitive use. During shooting competitions, many prefer using BB guns as they are inexpensive and easy to learn and equip. Even soldiers use BB guns for target practice and skill improvement.
De León justified this ridiculous bill because of incidents in which police officers shot people wielding realistic-looking BB or Airsoft rifles. De León has insisted all along that marking toy guns would prevent potentially deadly split-second decisions.
“Horrific things happen when a toy gun is confused with the real thing,” said Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael. “This bill can prevent that tragedy.”