Burbank Acts to Ban Sale of Realistic Toy Pistols

An ordinance that would ban the sale of toy pistols that resemble authentic weapons was tentatively approved by the Burbank City Council on Tuesday.

The ordinance, introduced by Mayor Michael R. Hastings, would also prohibit the brandishing of a replica of weapon in a threatening manner and the brandishing of a replica in front of a law enforcement officer.

The council is expected to formally approve the ordinance at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Councilman Robert R. Bowne was the only one of Burbank’s five council members to vote against the ordinance. Bowne said that, while he agrees with the spirit of the ordinance, he does not believe it can be adequately enforced.

“I think something like this would be extremely difficult to enforce,” Bowne said, adding that a state law should be initiated to outlaw the sale of the toy firearms that resemble real weapons.

Although she voted for the ordinance, Councilwoman Mary Kelsey also doubted that the it would be effective. “Parents will just go to Glendale or North Hollywood and buy guns for their kids,” she said. “We need to do something to push this on the state level.”

Kelsey said a copy of the ordinance should be sent to cities around the state to encourage them to adopt similar laws.

If adopted, the ordinance could become effective in January.