Police in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have again warned parents to be wary of buying imitation firearms for their children as Christmas presents – after five imitation weapons – including the ones pictured here – were seized in the towns this week.
Last month, police warned of the dangers of buying the guns which could easily be mistaken for genuine firearms, even by an expert eye.
New models now being sold at Highbridge Market also carry sights and have close resemblance to Heckler and Koch MP5 weapons – as pictured on the right.
Although it is not illegal to sell the imitation weapons, to openly possess one in a public place is.
Burnham Police said on Tuesday (December 19th) that since Sunday, five more have been seized from local youngsters using the guns as toys.
Highbridge Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Gwilym Starks said: “There is no doubt that these weapons will cause serious alarm and harassment to anyone who has one pointed at them.”
“As you can see from the pictures they are extremely realistic and could quite easily be mistaken for genuine guns.”
“In the wrong situation at the wrong time, people could be putting themselves at serious risk if using these guns as toys – which they are most certainly not.”
PC Starks asked parents to realise the consequences of buying such a weapon for their children. He added: “Some parents don’t realise the dangers when buying these weapons.”
“It might not be illegal to sell them, but as soon as their child starts walking around a town centre or park with one, then they are very likely to have it seized by police and have action taken against an individual.”
“If parents are thinking of buying an imitation firearm for their child this Christmas, I would ask them to think again.”
“Our aim is to make our communities feel safe. This means we will do everything possible to reduce the number of weapons like this which will cause serious alarm to many people.”
