An Orlando Democrat hopes to prevent police from accidentally shooting toy gun owners. Sen. Geraldine Thompson is sponsoring a bill that would require manufacturers to use fluorescent colors so toy guns don’t look like the real thing.
Unlike federal law, Thompson’s bill includes pellet and BB guns. Hopefully, that will prevent police officers from fearing for their lives when they come across someone brandishing a look-a-like gun.
“We’ve had instances where individuals have been shot by police officers.”
Thompson is modeling her bill after similar legislation that grew out of tragedies in California and Ohio. In November, a 12-year-old Cleveland boy was shot twice by a police officer who thought his toy pistol was reel.
Some critics say that pellet guns are made to look like rifles so owners will treat them with more respect.
