PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Police Department has issued a serious warning amid a surge in incidents involving Orbeez guns, kids' toys that fire gel pellets at high speed, as per their recent reports. Authorities are raising the alarm on multiple fronts: the potential for these toy guns to be mistaken for real firearms, the likelihood of physical injury from the pellets, and the chaos caused by their use in public spaces.
Concerns about these toys have intensified due to their resemblance to actual guns, creating an imminent risk of misidentification by both the public and law enforcement—the problem was detailed in a release from the department. There have also been reports of injuries from these gel pellets, some of which have been intentionally frozen to inflict more harm; these instances range from minor welts to the more severe, such as eye injuries.
The recklessness associated with the use of these shooter toys extends to disruptions in the downtown area, with juveniles running or driving unpredictably, causing potential hazards to themselves and others. In response, the Pittsfield Police have firmly stated they will maintain a low tolerance for Orbeez gun occurrences in line with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 269, Section 12B, which prohibits the possession or use of air-powered rifles by minors without adult supervision and outlaws firing projectiles on or near public ways.
Additional charges that may be levied against juveniles found engaging in these activities include Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon during a Breach of the Peace; this is particularly noteworthy given that consent is not a defense for assault and battery in Massachusetts, as highlighted by the Pittsfield Police Department meaning that kids’ games with these toys can quickly escalate to criminal charges.
Following multiple confiscations of Orbeez guns, the department has returned some to parents with warnings, however they caution that repeat or more egregious violations will result in criminal charges. Authorities are urging parents to discuss the potential dangers and legal ramifications with their children. For those witnessing any misuse of these toy guns in public, the department offers a contact point: call the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700.
