URBANDALE – “The witnesses were very clear they saw a weapon and that they saw a handgun and a rifle,” said the Chief of ISU police, Michael Newton.
When the caller said they saw men with guns, officers treated the call as seriously as an active shooter situation.
This all happened August 23rd when ISU police were notified of 4 people on campus with weapons.
“As soon as I saw the picture I thought this could’ve turned out really bad for those individuals,” said Chief Newton.
According to Newton, BB guns are considered weapons.
“It is prohibited by our resident halls and our university policies,” said Chief Newton.
Local 5 on your side talked with the owner of the JLM gun shoppe.
Mike Sporer showed us the difference between a handgun and BB gun.
But, really they look the same.
“That is the problem with people running around with BB guns they look exactly like a real firearm,” said Sporer.
But, he suggests if you have one to add color to help distinguish a difference.
“You’re going to want to paint the end of it red or something to make it obvious that it isn’t a real gun,” said Sporer.
In the end, he said the biggest danger with a BB gun is for the person carrying it.
“In a split second they have to know if that is a real pistol pointed at them or not,” said Sporer.
Because something meant for innocent fun could turn deadly.
“They don’t think it out to the end where hey I might encounter a policeman that thinks this is real,” said Sporer.
Since a BB gun is considered a weapon Sporer said you can’t shoot one in Des Moines.
“In the eyes of most in the suburbs and the city of Des Moines, you aren’t allowed to discharge them in the city limits,” said Sporer.
