JOE DAWSON
A group of Hastings teenagers has received a stern lesson in how not to behave with a toy gun in public places.
The behaviour of about six 16 to 18-year-olds, fooling around with a pellet gun in the middle of Hastings yesterday, was enough to prompt a call to the
police who confiscated the authentic-looking fake weapon.
Detective Sergeant Mark Moorhouse said police received a call about midday from a member of the public who saw one of the group brandishing what he took to be a firearm.
"He was concerned by their demeanour and the way they were waving it around," Mr Moorhouse said. "They had a pellet gun which fires little plastic balls."
While it was not a life-threatening weapon, a pellet would have enough velocity to take out an eye.
"Our main concern was to make sure it wasn't a firearm and to see what they were doing with it. They can be used in robberies and people are not prepared to risk that they're not real."
One of the teens had just bought the gun and one of his mates had got a hold of it, Mr Moorhouse said.
They were warned and the gun confiscated until the owner's parents visited the police.
"It was a bit of stupidity on their part." While they escaped further punishment Mr Moorhouse said there were laws on replica weapons.
"Depending on their behaviour it could result in an arrest and charge in breach of the arms act."
