That's why police are warning parents of the dangers of replica firearms, whether pellet guns, BB guns or non-firing imitations.
"If a kid were to point this at a police officer, the results could be extremely tragic," said Sgt. Gary James, of the Bridgeville Police, who is holding the real gun in the picture.
According to state law, people under 18 aren't allowed to purchase pellet guns and other replica firearms. The weapons can only be transported unloaded and in a case, and can only be fired on private property. If parents are going to purchase a real-looking gun for their kids, they should be kept at home, said police chief Ed Bogats said.
The replica gun confiscated in Bridgeville only fires 6mm rubber pellets, but looks identical to a real-life Taurus 9mm handgun, especially without the orange safety tip missing.
All imitation guns are supposed to come with a bright red or orange tip clearing distinguishing them as replicas, but in this case, the paint was either covered up or scraped off. Some officers think that's not enough, that manufacturers should make the entire gun, or at least the top half, orange.
Sgt. Bill Young was responding to a call about kids on a roof on Station Street last week when he found the gun the kids apparently left behind. It's the third time this year police have come across realistic-looking guns carried by kids.
"If someone sees a kid carrying this down the street, that isn't going to be reported in as a kid with a toy," he said, "that's going to be called in as a kid with a gun."
Police officers are trained to react to escalating threat levels, and facing a firearm is the highest level, Bogats said. A police officer responding might already have his firearm drawn when he arrives on the scene.
"We would hate like hell to have to shoot someone pointing a toy at us," Bogats said.
Just as likely, a civilian motorist might start shooting in self-defense if he sees a kid pointing a gun his way.
