Prop Gun Question

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 3:05 am

Friends,

Would it be illegal for me to carry around a verrry good looking prop gun (such as a Lee Keppler model)? That is to say, if I were to be stopped by an officer and inform him that I am carrying it, and furthermore, it's nothing but a hunk of rubber that just looks pretty, would I still get busted?

Thanks for any info.

Regards,
Strider

Texas Jones · Post by **Texas Jones** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:01 am

All states require the little red tip on toy guns. Without it you will get a ticket, or get shot.

I don't understand why anyone would carry a fake gun in public. You're asking for alot of trouble. Might as well get the real thing, as least you can defend yourself if need be. (You would be the first one shot in a criminal act such as a robbery if you're carrying that thing).

Just not a good idea.

Gater · Post by **Gater** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:17 am

yeah, is this for 'protection'? or as a prop?

If it's a prop, and you're in full gear, and at an event, it should be ok, but if you're carrying it, thinking that you'll pull it on someone if you get into trouble, then you're askin for trouble. You could get hurt by doin stuff like that...or shot!

Also, depending on the laws of your area, pulling a fake gun, but perporting it to be the real thing is just as criminal as pulling the 'real thing'.

Maybe if you told us why you're walking around with a realistic pistol, we could answer you better.

Indiana Grendel · Post by **Indiana Grendel** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:05 am

There have been way too many kids killed because they thought it'd be funny to mess with a cop by pulling a toy gun or even a water gun on them, or a cop saw them playing with the toys and thought it was real. I'm not saying that you would do that Strider, but if a cop sees you walking down the street with something in a holster, their first reaction wouldn't be to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume it was rubber.

I don't know where you live or what the laws regarding carrying firearms are there, but even in right to carry states, a gun draws attention. Also, at least here in Texas, you still can't carry them everywhere legally even with a license.

I've only carried a fake gun when needed for a costume, and then only at the party or event. Other than that, it's not worth the potential hassle of being asked by a cop or proprietor and having to explain to someone that 'No, it's not real, I just felt like carrying it around.' Then you just look foolish.

Cheers,

IG

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:01 pm

Honestly it was for an event (a non-halloween costume party), so I was just wondering.

I was also thinking that since it looks so real, the average everyday person wouldn't know the difference. Maybe you're shaking your head right now, but give me a moment to explain myself:

I live in Southern California, and I try my best to stay away from trouble. However, as I'm sure you all know, trouble sometimes goes looking for you. I've had people want to fist fight me over a place in line at a fast food restaurant before, and I've also had guys want to come up and fight me just because they think I might've been staring at their girlfriend. Stupid stuff like this. In several of these instances, I have actually had to fight, because the person who wanted to start the fight could not be reasoned with (and don't think I didn't try); instead, they took my trying to reason with them as weakness and pursued the fight more ardently.

Thinking back on those experiences, I wondered if I had just shown them the gun butt (in the holster, not actually taking it out), if the threat would be worse than the execution. I thought I wouldn't even have to take it out, the sight of what they believe to be a gun is usually enough for your average troublemaker to get the hint and not mess with you. I would never point a gun (real or not) at someone unless it was a clear cut case of self defense, and I would never do any of the above, even with a prop, unless I was being directly threatened.

Those are the two reasons I asked the question. Thanks.

Regards,
Strider

RC Halliburton · Post by **RC Halliburton** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:11 pm

Strider,

'Member back in the early 90s when we had all the road-rage events on our freeways. Turns out, that just indicating you have agun to someone, can be construed as threatening behavior, that the Law will land on you for.

I recomend keeping your gunbelt put away until you are ready to walk in the door of the place.

Halloween may grant some licsense to carry such things around, but since it's mid december...

webley420 · Post by **webley420** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:29 pm

Not to sound like a dick but I think I would look like a pussy if I pulled a gun out in a fist fight.

Strider wrote:I wondered if I had just shown them the gun butt (in the holster, not actually taking it out), if the threat would be worse than the execution.

Thats when the other guy will say to him self I gess its time for me to start carryng my REAL gun

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:34 pm

webley420 wrote:Not to sound like a dick but I think I would look like a pussy if I pulled a gun out in a fist fight.

Uhm, yeah. I don't care what I "look like" to some random person I'll never see again. The idea there is to get him to leave me alone.

Regards,
Strider

webley420 · Post by **webley420** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:43 pm

Strider wrote:Uhm, yeah. I don't care what I "look like" to some random person I'll never see again. The idea there is to get him to leave me alone.

I think thare would be a better way than by flashing a gun at him and safer you never know what is in thare pocket.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:50 pm

I wouldn't want to bring a rubber gun to a gunfight. That's just what you will have started if he has a real gun.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:09 pm

Flashing a gun at someone - rubber or real - is not anything I'd recommend. As the previous posters have pointed out, apart from the obvious legal aspects, you do not know who you're challenging and whether he's packing or not. Rubber gun vs. real firarm - you lose. Rubber gun vs. a knife or maybe a telescope baton - you lose again. And besides... isn't flashing a gun something a criminal or some other kind of scumbag would do? What works on film may not be applied to reality, mind you.

Best thing to do is to initially avoid places frequented by aggressive, violent people. If confronted by such a person, avoid conflict. Walk away. Doesn't make you any less a man. If problem persists, there's always the possibility to get help - a police officer, or perhaps a bouncer, if you're clubbing... picking a fight with an unknown might be the last thing one does.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:02 pm

all right, I get the idea.

Can we lock this post? Thanks for your advice everyone, I appreciate it.

Hope you guys don't think I'm stupid for asking such a question.

Regards,
Strider