What Can Happen if You Shoot Someone With an Airsoft Gun

Are BB Guns Illegal?

California BB Gun Laws

California law mostly allows adults to own BB guns, just it criminalizes their display or utilise in public. Additional crimes may be committed if you shoot someone else or their belongings using a BB gun. The punishments you could face if you lot are accused of committing a BB gun criminal offence vary widely.

Owning a BB Gun Is Legal

While Ralphie in A Christmas Story may accept considered his Red Ryder BB gun a toy, California law thinks differently. It is not illegal for an adult to own a BB gun, but children under 18 need parental permission to bear or possess a BB gun. Information technology is also unlawful to sell or give someone under 18 years one-time a BB gun.

Be sure to not treat a BB gun as a toy, but instead like the weapon it is. Careful command is vital to avoid breaking any laws.

Public Brandish of a BB Gun Is Illegal

California criminalizes the display of any fake firearms in public places, and the definition of false firearms in the constabulary clearly includes all BB guns. The significant of the term "public place" is broad in this statute and likewise encompasses areas you might usually consider private property.

You lot cannot legally display a BB gun in whatsoever of the following locations:

It the street
In a park
On a sidewalk
In a front yard
In a common area of an apartment building or complex
Commercial places open to the public, such as stores or medical buildings

Additionally, California law specifically criminalizes the possession of a BB gun in the following places:

Regime buildings
Airports
Schools, whether public or private

Typically, you are allowed to go on a BB gun in your private motorcar or vehicle. Even so, always exist enlightened that it is a crime to use a BB gun to threaten anyone else if the threat would induce fear of bodily impairment in a reasonable person. This crime tin be committed regardless of if you lot are on public or individual property or in a machine.

Punishments for BB Gun Crimes

Displaying an imitation firearm, such every bit a BB gun, in public is commonly only punished with a fine. There are scenarios, such as trying to bring a BB gun through security at an airport or government building or brandishing a BB gun on school grounds that may pb to misdemeanor charges.

Beyond merely displaying the BB gun, their improper use tin lead to various further charges, with the almost common including:

Vandalism
Attack
Battery
Assault with a mortiferous weapon

Shooting someone else's holding with a BB gun may result in vandalism charges, which can be a felony if you do over $400 in harm.

The deviation between assault and battery is that attack criminalizes the attempt to apply violence, while bombardment is the actual use of force. Shooting another person with a BB gun is battery and may lead to upwards to six months in county jail and a $2,000 fine. If you shoot at someone with a BB gun and miss, you tin all the same face punishment for assail, including up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine.

Causing some other person great bodily injury, such as a broken os or concussion, could lead to a charge of assault with a mortiferous weapon. The maximum punishment for this criminal offence is felony charges resulting in upwardly to 4 years in state prison house.

Because the places where and how you tin legally employ a BB gun are express, exist sure you or your loved ones use them responsibly. If you know someone facing charges for allegedly improper use of a BB gun, Chambers Police force Firm can assist. Contact united states of america at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to discuss your legal options.