Are blue guns (solid plastic) subject to restrictions?

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Buck13

Buck13

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I work in a gun-free zone (in Washington state), which makes it impossible for me to carry legally most of the time. Is carrying a "blue gun" (inert plastic training gun-shaped-object) legal, say for purposes of breaking-in or testing a holster?

I would imagine that if the campus cops "made" me, the fact that it's in no way a real gun would be a defense, but obviously common-sense assumptions don't always square with the law.
 
Bigger question is why. Are you really "breaking in or testing a holster" or are you showing the powers that be that you can carry just not a "real gun". Not sure I would risk my job on the defense of, its not a real gun. All you need to have happen is one wacko coworker report that they fear for their life because they saw the outline of a gun on you then the mess starts.
 
Buck13 said:
I would imagine that if the campus cops "made" me, the fact that it's in no way a real gun would be a defense,
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Right, it would be a defense. When you got to explain yourself to the campus chief, the dean, maybe a judge.
I doubt the campus cop would just say "OK, go on your way."

"You may beat the rap but you won't beat the ride"

I wouldn't.
 
Todd NE WY said:
All you need to have happen is one wacko coworker report that they fear for their life because they saw the outline of a gun on you then the mess starts.
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This.
Anti's who have convinced themselves to be SKEERED, MOMMA! of even things that imitate guns (like a PopTart nibbled into a gun shape) are gonna go berserk if you print.
 
Buck13 said:
I would imagine that if the campus cops "made" me, the fact that it's in no way a real gun would be a defense
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are you an on campus university student?

If yes then the answer is much simpler. The university can within reason impose any restrictions they want as long as it’s not discriminatory and applied equally.

Wether or not the police could drum up any civil or criminal charges(none of which I can think of but there are a lot of laws out there), the university has the far greater power to forbid their students from doing things they don’t like on campus.

1 example is when I was in college they forbid extension cords and air soft guns. I ended up having an old power strip I had confiscated and a buddy down the hall had his airsoft gun he left out confiscated.

When I asked for the power strip back they said since it didn’t have a surge protector built in it counted as an extension cord not a power strip.

There was no appeals process, no arguing, it was 100% at their discretion.

Now today I can look back and laugh about how it was no big deal, but at the time I was a broke 19yo and needing to go to wally world and buying a new power strip was a big deal to me.
 
Will probably come down to if a given State has laws on "replica" or "imitation" firearms--and some do.

Also, as correctly noted above, some larger institutions might have requirements that are more restrictive than State law.

Using a Blue Gun to get a holster to fit to you is probably good, especially if the weight is similar. Mind, you getting used to the weight and location of a concealed weapon are as important to not "printing" as nearly every other aspect. If you are comfortable with the carry, you won't figit, or adjust, or constantly touch the thing--which are far larger "tells" than the outline of something rectangular under a shirt.
 
Why not just try the gun/holster around your home or someplace else.?
Sounds like you are just asking for confrontation. Even if the Plastic is not a "real" gun, people are real skittish about guns especially on Campus.
 
Why not just leave the gun at home in the holster to break it in? All my leather holsters and mag pouches need to be broken in for a day... sometimes two. I wrap my guns and mags in a walmart plastic bag to help break it in. You don't need it on your hip at work.

I worked on a university for 3 years when I was in the army. Last thing you want to do on campus is draw attention to yourself over anything gun related. Don't listen to anyone on here that tells you it's no big deal and that it's ok to piss someone off. You'll be the one that is sorry in the end and those who are spouting terrible advice will not be affected at all.
 
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Walking around with a holstered replica gun is a very, very bad idea. As said, you need to check out local laws - city, county, state. There are bans depending on the appearance of the gun.

Second, if discovered - you talk about your defense as it is a replica. Well, that's trivial if you just get shot. You have no way of knowing in today's world / active shooters of some police being overly reactive if you are not just shot. From a NYS site - "Since 1994, there have been at least 63 shootings in New York State because of toy or imitation guns. Police say it’s virtually impossible to train officers to identify imitation guns from a distance."

Can you say Tamir Rice. The police arrived and with little challenge, just shot him.

Now, if you avoid that, a person might claim you triggered or traumatized them. If malicious, the claim could be you threatened them by pointing the gun or even handling the grip.

Do not do this.
 
CapnMac said:
Using a Blue Gun to get a holster to fit to you is probably good, especially if the weight is similar. Mind, you getting used to the weight and location of a concealed weapon are as important to not "printing" as nearly every other aspect. If you are comfortable with the carry, you won't figit, or adjust, or constantly touch the thing--which are far larger "tells" than the outline of something rectangular under a shirt.
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Yes, that's the motivation. I have a new, basic leather IWB holster and want to test it for comfort and retention as much as possible. There are A LOT of hours in the work week in which I could try that without a real firearm while saving the more familiar holster for actual carry in evenings and weekends.
 
Speaking from experience (former LEO), if they want to charge you, they'll find something to charge you with. Since you're not just dealing with the campus PD but the administration that controls them (most of which are vehemently anti-gun), I'd imagine disorderly conduct (if anyone complains) or something similar. I don't know your state's laws, but the state I worked in also had a special series of statutes that only applied to state campuses; if you don't have those thoroughly memorized, you've got to assume there's something in there that is essentially "pissing off the administration."

Larry
 
Part of testing a holster (at least for me) is figuring out what positions or situations make it print or cause other issues (like catching on the arms of chairs when standing up). That’s not something you want to do in a restrictive environment where printing could get you fired.

On your comment about testing retention, note that sometimes the tolerances of blue guns aren’t quite the same as the real thing. And if you get an inert gun designed as a holster molding prop there’s a chance the dimensions and features will be intentionally tweaked (in a way that helps the holster making process). Weight will also be different unless you get a model designed to replicate the weight and balance of the real thing.

In short, a non permissive environment is not the place to be testing holsters. Test it at home or somewhere else where the results of being discovered don’t directly risk your employment.
 
Buck13 said:
No, employee. I live across town.
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Well that's a bit different employees do have some rights at least. It will come down to whatever the employment laws of Washington say about employee/employer rights.

But I still don't think it's a good idea just sounds like a headache and a half you don't actually need in your life.
 
The OP asked "is carrying a blue gun legal?" and the answer must be "do not rely on legal advice or conclusions of internet experts". You have access to campus policies and restrictions, or can get them from the campus security office. City, county and state laws may also deal with toys, facsimiles or non-guns which resemble firearms. Don't bring a replica to a gun fight.
 
No, employee.
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If it becomes an issue and you don't get shot, they may try to see if they can charge you with something like inducing panic or breach of peace--my gut feel (non-lawyer) is that it won't be successful. But you will almost certainly be fired. Or, rather, they will suspend you, then call you at home and tell you there's no need for you to come back.
 
Look up David Workmans books on WA laws. They were excellent. While I'm 99% sure I know the answer, as we all do, I will add I'm 99% Sure is doesn't matter. If they don't care, they wouldn't care about a real firearm (illegal). If the DO care, your getting fired, arrested and referred for prosecution (Sideshow Bob does not care about WA law. He's made that clear). Convicted? Maybe, probably not. Life ruined? Possible. WA is a VERY gun friendly state, its also a VERY gun UnFriendly state depending where you are. https://www.amazon.com/Washington-State-gun-rights-responsibilities/dp/0967231302
There may be new versions. WA had a gun control orgy in 2012. We went from the 3rd most gun friendly state in the US to one of the 5 worst. Cali transplants.
 
Rule3 said:
Why not just try the gun/holster around your home or someplace else.?
Sounds like you are just asking for confrontation. Even if the Plastic is not a "real" gun, people are real skittish about guns especially on Campus.
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THIS^^^^

Get the blue gun to form your holster and test it out for carry suitability while at home in the evening on week days. Leave it in the new holster 24/7until you're satisfied it will work for you. Look up wet molding and boning a holster if it is leather; blue guns are great for that. Continue to carry the real gun in it's current holster when you carry (obviously not at work) until then. As Ohen Cepel mentions, be sure it is the exact model you want the holster to fit.
 
I would think that they would cite you for a menacing or threatening charge if they “made you”. It’s not something I would do. I break in a new holster at home and places I feel certain to never need the carry piece. Trips to the mailbox, riding the lawn mower, taking the trash canto the road… all serve a small purpose in breaking in the rig but it gets there slowly while also getting you broke in to it slowly. Remember that the cowhide isn’t the only leather that needs conditioning, your gut needs to get used to a little pressure as you start appendix carry, just like your arm needs some time when you swap to shoulder holster.
 
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