Minor with air pistol

[Strakele]

So I was talking with a kid that I've taken shooting before the other day, and he asked me a question that I don't know how to answer.

He asked if it was legal for him to carry an air pistol (.177cal, 4.5mm, powered by CO2 cartriges) with him (NOT at school). He lives in a not so nice part of town so I thought it was a legitimate question.

We are in Texas which is fairly friendly to guns, but as far as minors and airguns go, I have absolutely no idea.

Anyone know? Thanks.

 

[bogie]

Damn fine way to gitcherself shot by someone with a real boomstick.

 

[Strakele]

It didn't sound like a real good idea to me, but still, as far as actual laws go, does anyone have an idea?

 

[Dallas239]

Airguns are not defined as firearms under state law, but there may be relevant local ordinances. I think the more important question is what is he planning to do with it?

 

[Strakele]

I'm pretty sure you have to be 18 to buy one of those air pistols, but after that I don't know what kind of regulations there are. We're in the Dallas area.

He's a good kid... honors classes, ROTC, etc. He said it would only be used for self defense. I don't know how effective it would be or how much they hurt, but I bet it would be enough to get some other kid to back off.

 

[OMGWTFBBQ]

If you want something to make the other kid back off, get him some OC spray. An air pistol CAN be lethal(but is rarely lethal immediately) so you'd basically just have a very pissed off person after you with all senses working fine.

YMMV, but I'd rather have to fight(or run from) a guy who is blind and gagging from the capsaicin than to fight a guy who has a couple .177" holes in him.

 

[BlackJackal]

Some times i carry my walther .177 airpistol Loaded in my coat pocket when i go out to feed my horses.. but my neighbors are fine with me shooting so they dont care.. im glad they are cause me and my buddy whent threw about 4000 shotgun shells this summer

 

[Owen]

an air pistol for SD is silly. see if you can acquire some OC for him.

 

[jrfoxx]

Damn fine way to gitcherself shot by someone with a real boomstick.

Agreed.Also, the second you point it at someone, or imply in any way that it may be a real gun, they will likely charge you as if it WERE a real gun, and it will almost certainly stick too.For an example, not how I sell someone a piece of soap, or baking soda, or something telling them or implying it is cocaine, I can and will be charged and convicted as if it WERE cocaine.I'm willing to bet that even if Texas law sayg airguns arent firearms, it will become one the second you point it at someone and they think it is real. also not people holding up stores with a pinger poking in their pocket to immitate a gun are oftem still charegd with ARMED robbery.IANAL, but I really think even if using an airgun dosnt get you killed or beat senseless, you are liable to end up with a gun and/or assualt charge out of the deal.

 

[Len S]

Jrfoxx sums it up really well. You get all of the negatives of having a gun and none of the positives. You will get charged as if it were real, you can get killed because it is not. Lose lose situtation.


Len

 

[Titan6]

I saw one used successfully one time. While a test case of one is hard to argue I would submit you are better off than with nothing. Of course it depends on the type.

A semiauto using a compressed charge was the one I saw in use. 14 lead pellets to the face and upper body later and the bad guy lost all will to fight with his bat.

Don't know about carrying concealed but he should be able to carry in his car with no issues.

 

[Strakele]

He has one that shoots like 10 steel bbs as fast as the trigger can be pulled. But I think you guys are right about having a bunch of negatives come of it.

OC should be ok for him to carry?

 

[boatbod]

A CO2 powered BB gun isn't worth a crap as far as penetration is concerned - lets be clear that you're talking about a 5.5 grain projectile moving at maybe 450fps!! I'd rate its usefulness for self defense as somewhat worse than useless, and as previously noted, highly likely to get you shot, cut, or beat senseless by your assailant.

 

[GlowinPontiac]

airguns are worthless for SD. in fact i tried to use one today to drive off a wild tom turkey that was attacking my front door and anyone who tried to go outside. pellets just bounced right off with no effect.

 

[jrfoxx]

OC should be ok for him to carry?

For someone underage? I still wouldnt do it.SOMEONE will see it, think its real, call the cops, and it will be all over.I would be AMAZED if he werent charged with disturbing the peace, terroristic threats, possesion of a handgun by a minor (again, someone though it was real, so it magically became real, therefore....) or something. I have actually, personally been shot in the head (temple actually) with a pretty decent co2 pelllet gun from a couple feet away when I was 13, and while it did hurt pretty good, and blled a lot, I ceratinly didnt incapacitate me.Twere the same to happen know, being an adult, especially if I had some intent on hurting you, I dont think you could get off enough shots fast enough to make me give up, before I rushed you, took it away, and prceded to beat you to death with it.Unless you get a lucky shot in the eye, or the BG is far enough away to get off a whole bunch of face shots (and if thats the case, good luck proving self defense against someone that far away from you) you are done for. And no, you wont get the BG in the eye unless its pure luck. In a panic, adrenaling flowing, you arent going to hit a moving target in the eye with a bb, and more than the rest of us can just shoot the gun out of the BG's hand, or just hit him in the shoulder only intentionally, etc.

 

[Vermont]

^^I think he was asking about OC pepper spray, not Open Carrying.

 

[jrfoxx]

Oh, yeah, that's probly true, sorry. I'm more used to seeing OC meaning "open carry" than referring to pepper spray.Re-reading HOw he wrote it, I should have seen that.My bad. I think in most places, you have to be 18 for pepper spray too, but it could obviously vary from state to state.No idea on Texas specifically.