Two schoolboys have been locked up for eight months for using an imitation “BB” gun to threaten a fellow pupil at their school “for a cigarette”.
Two boys were handed eight-month sentences after admitting threatening a fellow pupil with an imitation weapon 'for a cigarette'
Their parents and two Welsh MPs have now called for tougher regulation to stop teenagers getting their hands on the weapons.
The two boys, aged 14 and 15 at the time, were detained and charged with attempted armed robbery after police were called to the Cardiff school in June this year.
The pair – who cannot be named for legal reasons – are now serving eight-month sentences in a Young Offenders Institution after admitting attempted armed robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
A third boy pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm.
The parents of the boys, who have launched a petition calling for tougher regulation, said: “BB guns should be taken off of sale.
Both had aspirations - now it's gone
“Our two boys now have criminal records, kicked out of education and have lost the best part of their school lives and futures.
“Both boys do well and had aspirations above and beyond any parents dreams.
“All of this has gone in a moment of kids fooling around.
“Ban the sale of BB gun toys as they can wreck a child’s life... for life.“The effect this has had on myself and the other mother has been detrimental to our health.
“Pain and suffering emotionally and the stigma attached to our boys being branded as gun wielding armed robbers.”
MPs speak out
Two Cardiff MPs said there should be tougher regulations to stop minors getting their hands of imitation weapons like BB guns.
Under-18s cannot buy BB guns, which fire pellet-like projectiles, and but anyone aged 18 can.
Individual weapons are not registered with owners and purchasers only have to register with an association of retailers selling them.
It means youngsters often find it relatively straightforward to get their hands on the weapons, which are available online and in stores.
Grown-up sentence, grown-up crime
“We don’t know the specific circumstances of this worrying case, but it’s clear from the outcome that the court took what had happened very seriously by imposing a custodial sentence,” said Cardiff Central’s Jo Stevens.
“This is a grown-up sentence for what was clearly seen as a grown-up crime so it raises the question about why these imitation weapons are so easily available to children.
“The current law is supposed to prevent sale of BB guns to under 18s but it’s clear that enforcement is an issue and manufacturers and government should consider whether these imitation weapons should even be available at all?”
'In some cases, restrictions not working'
“I have long believed that there need to be tougher restrictions on the sale of BB guns and similar non-lethal or replica weapons, even to over-18s,” he said.
“There are already significant restrictions in place but it is clear in some cases these are not working or preventing the passing of items to under-18s.
“As well as their potential to intimidate, threaten and injure others when not used in a safe and controlled environment, police have rightly warned users that they could also tragically lead to a real firearms response if carried illegally in public or used in an uncontrolled environment, as it may not be clear whether they are a more lethal variety.
“There have been a number of serious incidents in the UK and globally – including deaths.
See - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ban-bb-gun-sales-parents-10443027
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