The Tupelo Police Department said it has received complaints about Orby guns, gel blasters, splatter guns and similar toy guns being used in neighborhoods and warned they can be mistaken for real firearms.
A graphic accompanying the department’s post showed what the department described as a toy Orbeez/splatter gun, the department said.
The department urged parents and guardians to talk with their children about using the toys responsibly and not pointing or shooting them at strangers, passing vehicles, homes or anyone who may not realize they are toys, the department said.
The department said many of the toys look very realistic and can be easily mistaken for real firearms, especially from a distance or at night, and that situations involving realistic-looking guns can quickly create dangerous misunderstandings for citizens and responding law enforcement.
The Tupelo Police Department said it appreciates the public’s help in keeping these situations from escalating into something more serious.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
