Legislation Targets Toy Guns Amid Gun Control Efforts

There seems to be a growing desperation among Democratic lawmakers and officials across the nation. They’ve now turned their sights on toy guns.

With support from the March for Our Lives Foundation and a group led by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democratic Rep. Kevin Mullin from California recently introduced a new bill aiming at certain air guns.

Some are saying, “They are literally coming for your Red Ryder.”

Under current federal law, a “firearm” is defined as any weapon that can expel a projectile by explosive action, which includes starter guns, among others. However, air guns, which operate using compressed gas, are not categorized as firearms.

Mullin’s proposed legislation would change that for particular air guns. Specifically, it would classify air guns that shoot .177, .22, or .25 caliber pellets at velocities of at least 800, 500, and 450 feet per second, respectively, as firearms. Additionally, any air gun that fires a metallic pellet larger than .25 caliber would also fall under this new classification.

If passed, this legislation would require individuals purchasing these air guns to undergo background checks.

Moreover, it includes a provision for the attorney general to provide guidance to air gun manufacturers on obtaining federal firearms licenses, including compliance with record-keeping and serialization requirements.

Mullin stated he introduced the so-called “Garrett’s Law” after the death of a constituent, Garrett Edwards, who, despite being legally prohibited from owning a firearm, took his own life with an air gun.

Garrett’s mother, Ann Edwards, mentioned that her son had struggled with mental health issues and that he acquired a lethal air gun via Amazon.

Some critics of the bill have remarked on the trend, noting that it’s part of a broader movement to regulate various weapons more strictly. A Utah Senator expressed outrage over Mullin’s move, calling it fundamentally unserious to go after BB and pellet guns amidst more pressing crime issues.

Young Americans for Liberty tweeted about the situation, highlighting the implications of reclassifying BB guns as firearms. “They are literally coming for your Red Ryder,” they remarked, echoing concerns about broader gun control measures.

The National Association for Gun Rights pointed out that this move reflects a long-term agenda towards stricter gun regulations, suggesting that assaults on air guns signal a larger ambition to expand control over firearms.

Concerns were raised about how such regulations could evolve, with some fearing that if this bill passes, it might lead to even stricter regulations on all air guns down the line.