Baltimore City Council Proposes New Ordinance to Ban Toy Guns

By Beth Baumann

The Baltimore City Council decided to take drastic action after a 13-year-old boy was accidentally shot in April. Police believed the boy had a real firearm, when in fact, he had a replica toy gun.

Their solution? Ban all replica toy guns via a gun control ordinance known as Council Bill 16-0761.

“If we had our way, we would ban all handguns in the city of Baltimore. We just don’t have the authority to do it,” said Baltimore City Councilman Jim Kraft (D – District 1).

Under this bill, no one is allowed to own or possess a toy gun. If a person is caught in violation, the toy gun can be seized by the Baltimore Police Department.

Baltimore Council Bill 16-0761 even includes an imprisonment provision. If a person is found possessing a replica toy gun more than twice, they can face a misdemeanor charge with up to 30 days in prison and a $1,000 fine or both.

Opponents of the bill argue it is the responsibility of the police officer to verify whether or not a gun is real. Councilman Kraft has a differing opinion:

It is true that some of our officers need more training, but …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms