OXFORD – Police are warning parents and students about the dangers of carrying airsoft guns that closely resemble real firearms.
According to the police department, officers responded to two separate incidents over the past week involving high school-aged students carrying airsoft guns. Police said some of the guns had the orange safety tip removed or painted over.
One of the incidents happened at a local gas station. Police said several citizens stepped in, spoke with the young people involved and helped calm the situation before it became more serious.
Authorities said what may seem like harmless fun can quickly become a dangerous misunderstanding.
Police said many airsoft and imitation firearms are designed to look nearly identical to real weapons. When those items are used in a way that causes fear or alarm, officers and concerned citizens may only have seconds to determine whether a weapon is real.
The department is encouraging parents to talk with their children about the risks, know what they are carrying and inspect any airsoft weapons to make sure they do not look like real firearms.
Police said the goal is to make sure every young person in the community makes it home safely.
