A Connecticut lawmaker, Hartford law enforcement and doctors at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center are asking parents to steer clear of buying look-alike toy guns this holiday season.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D - Connecticut) proposed new legislation to require all look-alike or toy guns to be marked with bright, permanent colors so they’re not mistaken for the real thing. This includes paint guns and BB guns.
"The law requires now that they be equipped with a very brightly colored item at the end. But it’s easily removed," Blumenthal said, demonstrating on an imitation gun.
In Hartford last week, police said a teen stole a car and according to witness accounts, the teen held up a BB gun to the car’s owner. The owner used his legal gun and shot the teen in the jaw.
Over the past two years, police killed 86 people carrying toy guns nationwide, Blumenthal said.
"The legislation should be a no-brainer. We’re not talking about taking guns away from anyone, we’re not even talking about background checks," Blumenthal said.
