Air Pistol Gun Control?

Question

Ok, I'm about to buy an air soft pistol but I'm not sure about the restrictions with one. I live in minnesota and I know you have to have a liscence to carry a concealed weapon but an air soft pistol isn't a real gun. Could i go out in public and wave it around at people (not saying I would do that) It has an orange tip so technically it's a toy right? Any help?

Answer 1

The first thing you need to realize is that all legal statutes and caselaw aside, you WILL be treated as though you are carrying a real gun by other people.  Regular folks will call the police on you, and police will arrest or SHOOT you if you behave in a threatening manner.  In my area, robbers started painting orange tips on real guns to make the police hesitate so they could get the first shot.  Guess what?  The police simply learned to ignore orange tips.

There was a kid near my old job where I worked security that had an orange tipped airsoft gun stuck in his pants and was hanging around.  We were pretty sure it was fake, but we could not take the chance:  We pounced on him from behind, yanked the gun out and handcuffed him.  When the police came, they arrested him.

Remember that assault does not require you to hurt anybody, it only requires that other people THINK you will hurt them.

Don't be a dope.  You haven't done anything yet, so why not be the smart one among your mates and not do that?

If you feel you need to protect yourself, that's another matter, and there are better ways.

Answer 2

Bologna

I can take a real weapon and paint the tip orange also - your thinking is wrong.

I am an LEO - and if you wave around something that looks like a firearm - Your joining the 2-1 club.

Two to the chest and one to the head.

You can not carry a weapon or a look alike weapon on your person.

Put it in a case to transport it to your favorite play place - not the community.

Answer 3

I live in minnesota too, it's generally best not to, treat it like a real gun and case it if you bring it out in public. All it takes is someone not to see the orange