Juveniles charged with possessing replica guns

HOLMDEL - Police arrested six juveniles recently after they were seen with replica handguns that looked so authentic that many police officers are hard-pressed to tell the difference.

According to Holmdel Detective Sgt. Lou Torres, a female motorist noticed a car full of juveniles attempting to load what she thought were handguns while she was driving through Holmdel. She contacted police and provided the license plate of the car, leading authorities to the homes of the juveniles.

"One particular gun looked like the Beretta our officers carry," Torres said.

The handguns, which are spring loaded and shoot plastic BBs, are so alike in weight and appearance that it is difficult to distinguish between a real threat and a toy. Torres said they even disassemble in the same manner as their authentic counterparts.

"The weight of it, the whole nine yards are very real," Torres said.

Torres said that when purchased, these guns come with an orange tip meant to differentiate between real and fake weapons.

"A lot of kids are taking that orange tip off," Torres said. "That one gun, you couldn't tell the difference between the real one and the fake one."

The very same night, Torres said, while the police officer was bringing in the first group of offenders, two more teenagers were seen with fake handguns. He said the two incidents were unrelated.

While the guns are fake, police say the threat is very real.

Torres said a scenario exists in which an officer may not be able to tell the difference between the replica and a real firearm. Faced with a hostile situation, the officer may react with force.

"It's a split-second decision," Torres said.

Detective Sgt. Jim Smythe said juveniles are purchasing the replica guns over the Internet or at places like the Colling-wood Auction, Howell, and removing the safety tips.

"Our main concern is that we have juveniles driving around in motor vehicles with these things and that's not a good thing," Smythe said. "We're taking a proactive approach because we certainly don't want any of these things showing up in schools."

Smythe would like parents to know that the fake handguns are not legal and that they pose a real threat to the safety of the child.

"We don't see any reason whatsoever that juveniles should have these things in the first place, and there are going to be dire consequences if they are found to be in possession in a motor vehicle or on school property," he said.

Smythe warned that those carrying the replica handguns while in a motor vehicle will be charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, as were the juveniles in Holmdel.

"The bottom line is that I don't know how any person can rationalize the fact of having one of these weapons in a car or out in public," Smythe said. "There is no reason for it."