Baltimore Bans Toy Guns

We reported two months ago on the city council in Salisbury, Maryland, possibly voting to ban toy guns that look like real guns. Here’s a follow-up to that story.

In mid-November, the Baltimore city council approved a citywide ban on toy guns that look like real guns. The city council in Salisbury has not yet made a final decision, but given the decision in Baltimore, a similar opinion there seems likely.

In Baltimore, councilors introduced the legislation after a 14-year-old boy in Baltimore was shot by police while he was holding a BB Gun. This happened in April, and luckily the boy did not die. The city council president, Jack Young, said criminals are using realistic looking toy guns in crimes on Baltimore’s streets.

Under the legislation, owning, carrying or otherwise possessing a replica that could “reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm” could result in a $250 fine for a first offense. Fines would rise to $1,000 for second and subsequent offenses. The council voted unanimously Monday, without discussion, to allow a final vote on the matter. The bill is expected to pass by December.

Gun rights advocates oppose the bill, stating the legislation is too vague and that it violates federal law. Federal law prohibits states from banning the sales of some replica firearms. City councilors responded by saying that since the language of the bill bans possession, not sales, it is legal because it does not violate that federal legislation. What do you think?