Parents are something else.... **long**

[CathrynRose]

We don't know if the toy gun in this case looked real or not (or if we do, I missed it.) The primary concern in our area is that toy guns look like toys so that the police don't have realistic toy guns to contend with. From what I read from the OP, the gun shot plastic pellets so it could look real or be bright pink for all I know.

Maybe nerf guns would be better? I don't think that those ever look realistic.

Actually - it's neon green with bright pink pellets.

 

[Planogirl]

Apparently, these guns might just be illegal in your area CathrynRose. That changes things unfortunately for Scott.

It's still overkill though IMO.

 

[Southern4sure]

We don't know if the toy gun in this case looked real or not (or if we do, I missed it.) The primary concern in our area is that toy guns look like toys so that the police don't have realistic toy guns to contend with. From what I read from the OP, the gun shot plastic pellets so it could look real or be bright pink for all I know.

Maybe nerf guns would be better? I don't think that those ever look realistic.

Sorry, I read several articles about this incident. It appears the air soft gun he used didnt have the orange or yellow markings to indicate it was a toy.

At a news conference following the shooting Friday at suburban Orlando's Milwee Middle School, authorities put the pellet gun side-by-side with a Beretta. It appeared to have black paint covering the red or pink markings on the muzzle that may have indicated to officers that it was a nonlethal weapon.

As you can see, it doesn't take a professional to see how close this looks to the real thing. I would not be able to tell the difference," said Joyce Dawley, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent in charge of the investigation.

Above is quoted from this article
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060114/D8F4MVNO1.html

 

[tarmand]

I think we can all agree these *toys* could POSSIBLY cause some injury - my point was more that I just dont feel Scott should be facing a "record" because he was playing around, and shot this kid in his hand, when that kid owns a gun himself.

I agree that the kid doesn't deserve a record for this, but maybe they'll drop the charges. Could his parents possibly go over and try to reason with Dustin's mom? Maybe if they went over there and said, "You know, you're right, the kids shouldn't be shooting each other with these guns but could we possibly think of a proper punishment for my son that doesn't involve the courts?" You never know, she might cave in and drop the charges.

 

[SeaShelley]

I've re-read the OP's first post three times and then tried to put myself in the "bad kid Mom's" position. Every time I play the scenario over with my son being the one shot in the hand I think I would have flipped out too! To the point of calling the cops? Maybe not, but I'm not certain. If the "toy" in question looks anywhere near as real as the one shown on the link in a previous post I would have a REAL problem and am 100% sure that my son would never own one....especially for the purpose shooting other kids!

But they find joy and amusement in shooting each other with plastic pellets.

This statement really bothers me! Good kid or bad kid, this practice is just wrong. I don't care if they are small plastic pellets or feathers....pointing and shooting a gun aimed at other kids running around the neighborhood is insane! Take a group to a paintball field where the action is controled and the kids are made to wear protective gear.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Scott's parents should talk to Dustin's mom. Maybe she would drop this if they agree to enroll Scott in gun safety classes.

 

[Buckalew11]

So when Scott shot Dustin in the hand, was his hand hurt?

 

[CathrynRose]

They are banned in Chicago and Morton Grove.

Airgun's and Airsofts are NOT the same thing:

Airsoft is very different from BB gun and Air gun. Airsoft originated in Japan and is a SPORT. BB gun or Air gun originated in America and is NOT a sport.

Airsofts are actually made to be popped at each other - if thats your thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:A...en_the_airsoft.2C_air_gun_and_BB_gun_articles

 

[CathrynRose]

So when Scott shot Dustin in the hand, was his hand hurt?

No - he said "G****D*** Dude!"

The police actually had to go by Scott and Joey and the other kids words that anyone was actually hit, cuz there was no mark(s)

 

[Southern4sure]

It is obvious there must be some kind of ordinance about these guns where CatherynRose lives. Im sure the mom is putting the pressure on the police BUT if a law was not broken the mom could complain all she wants and the police do not have to do what the mom says. Even if the mom dropped the charges, it does not mean the police will if a law/ordinance was broken....IMHO but I could be wrong.

 

[Skywalker]

I just dont feel Scott should be facing a "record" because he was playing around, and shot this kid in his hand, when that kid owns a gun himself.

It's not zero tolerance - the police had no intention of persuing anything. The Mom is making them.

I don't think it matters if he owns a gun himself, why should that matter? Like, if a dog bites me I can't complain because I happen to own a dog myself?

You stated that these two boys are NOT friends, so that could make a huge difference in how it was perceived by Dustin and/or his mother.

And the police can't be forced into pursuing charges if an offence was not committed in the first place.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What was Scott charged with?

 

[CathrynRose]

What was Scott charged with?

I *believe* it was assault, but I really dont know for sure.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I *believe* it was assault, but I really dont know for sure.

See I figured it was assault or battery (depending on your local and state laws). Airsofts are spring loaded, they are not air guns, they are not CO2 guns. I do not believe they fall under the Chicago ban.

 

[Planogirl]

I think it depends. I'm assuming that Scott could have been charged with assault if he punched Dustin. A fist is of course not illegal but how the fist is used is illegal. Maybe the gun isn't illegal but how Scott used it could be called assault?

 

[CathrynRose]

I don't think it matters if he owns a gun himself, why should that matter? Like, if a dog bites me I can't complain because I happen to own a dog myself?

You stated that these two boys are NOT friends, so that could make a huge difference in how it was perceived by Dustin and/or his mother.

.

No - but if you allowed your dog to be biting everyone, then were mad when it bit someone else, then what the heck? Dustin shot at other kids, jst as he's been shot at. He just didnt happen to have a gun with him. And Dustin wasnt ready to go to the police - they were all laughing, until Mom pulled up, got out and started yelling at Scott. And then, he was embarrassed.

 

[Southern4sure]

CathrynRose,

Thanks for the link. I learned alot about the difference between the guns. I did read some info that may apply to this case. I read this under Legal Issues.

In the United States, different localities have their own regulations:
Under Federal Law,
Airsoft guns are not classified as firearms subject to the Gun Control Act.
Orange tips must be present on the barrel ends of the airsoft gun when they are shipped in a manner that crosses state lines. Once you own the airsoft gun, you may not remove the orange tip, however, many people do and reattach it later.
Airsoft guns' trademarks must be removed where the manufacturer does not have an existing license agreement with the "Real Steel" gun's manufacturer in the US. (Example: Classic Army has a licensing agreement with Arsenal Arms, so the trademarks can stay on imported replicas of Arsenal's SLR 105 A1. In practice enforcement is hit or miss. You might get an "unlicensed" gun through customs with Trademarks intact, while a Licensed gun might be held in Customs by an "underinformed" customs agent.)
In addition, the similarity between genuine firearms and airsoft replicas is close enough to provoke interaction with local law enforcement personnel if an airsoft gun is carried openly in public.
If someone were to, for example, attempt a robbery with an airsoft gun, they would be charged as if the airsoft gun were a real firearm.
New York City has a total ban on airsoft guns.
Michigan restricts the purchase of these guns so that they may only be purchased from a licensed retailer.
All states require you to be atleast 18 years of age to purchase airsoft guns and pellets.

 

[sharbear]

Cathryn Rose, as the mother of a 17 yo DS, I know how stupid boys can be. Mine is a honor roll student who is a good kid and even he makes stupid choices occ. It's unfortunate that Scott's stupid mistake is resoluting in this. I feel very sorry for him.

I think that your S needs to cut off contact with the trouble maker right now. I'm sure you have come to that conclusion on your own.

I hear what everyone has to say about guns and no tolerance. But any mother of a teenage boy who thinks that their son has not done something really, really dumb, isn't looking very hard. IMHO. Funny that those who should be the last to cast stones happened to be the first. (meaning Dustin's mom, in case someone misunderstands me)

 

[BelleMcNally]

I agree with the OP; I think this was blown WAY out of proportion. I mean, really, getting the police involved?! That's nuts.

We had all kinds of nerf guns and what-not when we were gowing up in the 80s and shot at each other all of the time--I cannot imagine any of the parents in the neighborhood where I grew up calling the police over something like this, or even being upset about their kids shooting each other with toys?

 

[Ronda93]

Human target practice is usually a bad idea, even if all the other kids are doing it.

As for the cries of "he'll have a record," this is one of those cases where the fact that he's a juvenile will be welcome news to overwrought parents everywhere. He turns 18 and gets a clean slate.

Provided he stops shooting at people, it will be a potentially expensive lesson, but nothing more.