moldyoldy wrote:
That is exactly the point. Can the dispatcher make that determination? Are there new rules in place yet to tell people what to do? This will not be the last case. Also the Blacks with toy guns get shot immediately in these open carry states. Why is that?
Though Massachusetts is not an "open carry" state...
That's not always the case Moldy
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A 12-year-old boy found carrying a replica firearm in his backpack along with a can of black spray paint was stopped in Roxbury yesterday by police, who then alerted the boys mother.
The Herald reported Wednesday that police Commissioner William B. Evans is seeking a ban on such faux weapons to prevent his biggest fear the death of a child who points what appears to be a real gun at a police officer.
A concerned citizen near Warren and Dale streets called police at about 5:40 p.m. yesterday to say he spotted the boy put what appeared to be a firearm into a backpack, authorities said.
He told police the boy walked off with a group of teens, police added.
As officers approached the playground near Kensington Park, they observed the group and the male fitting the description of the person with the gun, police said. Officers approached the group and asked to inspect the backpack. As officers pat-frisked the bag, they felt the shape of a firearm through the fabric.
Police said the gun was a replica, but had no orange tip, and smelled of spray paint.
Officers were able to identify the 12-year-old juvenile from Roxbury and contacted his mother. The juveniles mother responded to the scene, and officers explained the incident to her, police said.
Police said they provided his mother with the community service officers number and urged her to call so they can explain the dangerous consequences that may arise from carrying a replica firearm in public.
The boy was not charged with a crime and was released to his mothers custody, police said.
Boston police have confiscated 139 replica handguns so far this year that authorities say were used in suspected crimes or discovered during search warrant executions. Evans said a total of 174 fake firearms were seized last year that investigators have tied to at least 200 crimes.
Evans testified before the City Council this week, urging them to ban replica handguns
Our biggest fear out there, he testified, is a young child thinking this is a harmless toy, pointing it in the direction of one of our officers, and, heaven forbid, my officer has to use deadly force.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2015/10/police_take_phony_handgun_from_boy_12_in_roxbury