County : Board Urged to Outlaw Wielding of Fake Guns

A county supervisor and the sheriff are calling for immediate passage of a proposed county law barring anyone from brandishing a replica of a gun, rifle or other firearm.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Roger R. Stanton and Sheriff Brad Gates said in a joint letter to county supervisors that as a result of the recent rash of freeway shootings there appears to be an increase in the number of reports of individuals wielding replica firearms in a threatening manner.

“These types of calls are very dangerous and sometimes lethal,” Stanton and Gates said. “The (police) officers respond with the notion that it is a real firearm and act accordingly. This creates a dangerous situation for both the officer and the public.”

The two officials said police lack “specific legal language” enabling them to arrest someone wielding a replica the way they would arrest someone waving a real gun.

Los Angeles County has passed an ordinance on replica weapons, as have the cities of Anaheim and Costa Mesa, Gates and Stanton said.

The supervisors are scheduled next Tuesday to consider passing the county’s proposed ordinance on an “urgency” basis, meaning it would take effect immediately. Violation would be punishable by a maximum term of six months in the county jail or a fine of up to $1,000.