Beware of the dangers of air weapons and imitation guns, parents and members of the public are being warned as part of a new campaign as Summer approaches.
Officers are warning that air and imitation guns (which include ball bearing, BB guns) are not toys and can cause serious injuries and even kill.
Throughout the coming weeks officers will be visiting firearms and air weapon sellers, distributing 1,000 leaflets and also posters warning buyers of the laws and the dangers.
They will be asking retailers to give the advice leaflets to every customer buying an air weapon or imitation gun.
While the number of air weapon offences fell in the last year, the number of BB guns offences rose.
The majority of offences are for possessing a BB gun or air weapon in public.
Force-wide from April 2009 – April 2010 there were 28 Ball Bearing gun offences compared to 8 offences from April 2008 – April 2009.
Force-wide from April 2009 to April 2010, there were 24 air weapon offences compared to 40 offences from April 2008 to April 2009.
In the last year, Northern division comprising of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr, had the highest number of air weapons and Ball Bearing Guns (BB gun) offences, out of all the divisions across the force.
Detective Superintendent Mark Lynch said: “While the number of air weapon offences fell in the last year, the number of BB guns offences rose.
“The majority of offences are for possessing a BB gun or air weapon in public.
“The majority of those caught with a BB gun or air weapon don’t intend to cause harm to an individual.
“But people must realise that air weapons and imitation guns can cause damage, serious injuries and they can kill – they are not toys to be bought for children as presents.
“Our message is – don’t put your children or yourself at risk, know the dangers, know the law.
“We want parents to work with us and talk to their children about the issues surrounding air and imitation weapons.
“With Summer approaching people may be tempted to go out into communities or out on our mountainsides and use air and imitation guns.
“But people must realise it is an offence to have air and imitation guns in a public place, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse and you can be arrested.
“Youths or adults carrying them in public can cause real alarm to residents who think they are real guns. This can trigger 999 calls and even a response by armed officers.
“We carefully assess the intelligence with every call to judge the threat level and will always take into account the ages of those involved.
“But the fact is, if there is a risk that there could be a real firearm, we have a duty to send specially trained armed officers to protect the public so there is a possibility young people could be faced with our armed response unit.
“In South Wales Police, we don’t have a serious level of gun crime, we don’t have a gun culture and we want to keep it this way.
“The majority of gun crimes are from the misuse of air weapons and ball bearing guns.
“If you own an air weapon or are considering buying one please remember the laws, for your safety and those in your community.”
In her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) Report Card, South Wales Police was graded ‘excellent’ for its achievements in suppressing gun crime.
Statistics
Force-wide, offences included:
From April 2008- April 2009 there were:
• 40 Air weapon offences
• 8 Ball Bearing gun offences
• 7 Imitation handgun offences
• 1 Other Imitation Firearm offence
From April 2009 – April 2010 there were:
• 24 Air weapon offences
• 28 Ball Bearing gun offences
• 2 Imitation handgun offences
• 1 Other Imitation Firearm offence
In Northern division (Rhondda, Cynon, Taff and Merthyr areas) offences included:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 12 Air weapon offences
• 5 Ball Bearing gun offences
From April 2009 – April 2010:
• 10 Air weapon offences
• 13 Ball Bearing gun offences
In Eastern division – (Cardiff area) offences included:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 16 Air weapon offences
• 2 Ball Bearing gun offences
From April 2009 to April 2010:
• 3 Air weapon offences
• 3 Ball Bearing gun offences
In Central division
In Bridgend area offences included:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 1 Air weapon offence
• 1 Ball Bearing gun offence
From April 2009 to April 2010:
• 1 Air weapon offences
• 3 Ball Bearing gun offences
In Vale of Glamorgan offences included:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 1 Air weapon offence
• 0 Ball Bearing gun offences
From April 2009 to April 2010:
• 2 Air weapon offences
• 6 Ball Bearing gun offences
In Western division offences included:
In Neath and Port Talbot area:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 4 Air weapon offences
• 0 Ball Bearing gun offences
From April 2009 to April 2010:
• 4 Air weapon offences
• 0 Ball Bearing gun offences
In Swansea area offences included:
From April 2008 to April 2009:
• 6 Air weapon offences
• 0 Ball Bearing gun offences
From April 2009 to April 2010:
• 4 Air weapon offences
• 3 Ball Bearing gun offences
FIREARMS FACTS
- It is an offence to possess an air weapon or imitation firearm in public without legal authority or reasonable excuse (a reasonable excuse may include someone possessing an air weapon or imitation firearm weapon in line with their professional duties, such as a farmer).
- People under the age of 18 may not purchase, hire, sell or let on hire any weapon or ammunition
- Those under the age of 18 may not be in possession of an air weapon at anytime unless supervised by a person who is aged 21 or over, or as part of a shooting club or gallery.
- Persons may possess an air weapon on private property with the consent of the owner. But, it is an offence for any person who is using an air weapon on private property to fire any missile beyond the boundaries of the premises. A maximum penalty for this offence is currently £1,000. For housing tenants permission has to be sought from the landowner.
